There was pandemonium at the Tin-Can first gate and the Fatgbems Gas Station end of the Apapa-Oshodi expressway, yesterday, as suspected members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, launched an attack on members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, over ticket fee, leaving 15 people injured with gunshot wounds.
The Truck Transit Park Limited, TTP, was also attacked, as the unions destroyed property, including its electronic barriers and some yet to be ascertained items, during the crisis.
It was gathered that trouble started from the Tin-Can end of the road when NURTW members approached the port to dislodge members of RTEAN, to issue tickets to truck drivers for a fee, a move RTEAN members group vehemently opposed.
Fight, however, broke out as guns and other dangerous weapons were freely deployed.
Speaking on the development, Vice Chairman of RTEAN, Comrade Adeola Adeyemi, said: “I have reported this matter to the authorities severally for their intervention but, until yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) attack on us, there was no form of intervention.
“Before the attack, the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu invited both Unions to a meeting but members of the NURTW refused to attend the meeting.
“These unprovoked attacks have been going on in the last four weeks without any intervention by the authorities.”