Residents of Ilesa Garage in Osogbo were gripped by fear on Tuesday following a violent clash between rival factions of the Osun Transport Management System (OSTMS).
The confrontation, marked by sporadic gunfire, left the OSTMS Chairman, Wakili Nurudeen, injured.
The clash caused significant disruption in surrounding areas such as Ayepe, Sadiat, Ilesa Garage, and Fadilulai, where residents stayed indoors and shop owners hurriedly closed their businesses.
According to witnesses, the faction led by a certain Wasiu Arogundade temporarily seized the State Secretariat of the union, leading to a retaliatory move by the main group after a gunfire exchange.
During a peaceful protest at Olaiya area in Osogbo, Deputy Chairman of Operations, Wasiu Arogundade, accused Nurudeen Wakili, also known as ‘Alowonle’, of extortion and mismanagement.
He claimed that Wakili exploited the names of Governor Ademola Adeleke and his sister, Yeye Dupe Adeleke-Sanni, to collect money from union members.
He also alleged financial discrepancies, stating that Wakili had only remitted N150 million out of the N600 million generated from ticket sales.
“Alowonle used the name of Governor Ademola Adeleke and his elder sister, Yeye Dupe Adeleke-Sanni, to extort us.
“He bullied members whenever we advised him on union issues. For these reasons, we want him replaced as we have lost confidence in his leadership,” Arogundade said.
In response, Wakili,, denied the allegations, alleging that the disgruntled faction opposed his decision to keep the transport management system independent of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
“It is impossible to collect money for Yeye Dupe’s husband’s burial or Governor Adeleke’s chieftaincy conferment when they were not members of the transport union.
“They attempted to kill me, and we handed over one of those who attacked me to the police, “Wakili stated.
Union Secretary Mukaila Popoola further alleged that aggrieved members, led by hoodlums, burgled the Secretariat, stealing N6 million in cash and environment tickets worth N450,000.
“If they were protesting sincerely, why burgle our Secretariat and steal N6 million in cash and tickets worth N450,000?” Popoola questioned.
“Arogundade was suspended for extorting members but was recently pardoned for the sake of peace,” he added.
Meanwhile, Osun State Public Relations Officer, SP Yemisi Opalola, confirmed that the police have deployed personnel to the scene to maintain peace and order.
Adding that the situation remained tense, the Police assured residents that investigations to uncover details leading to the crisis were underway.
