RTEAN Debunks Arrest of Members Over Oshodi Mayhem
The leadership of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Lagos chapter has debunked media reports of the arrest of its members over the mayhem that erupted in Oshodi area of the state, following the murder of a leader of Motorcycle Operators’ Association of Lagos State (MOALS) in Oshodi, Alhaji Rasaq Bello last week.
A section of the media had reported that some leaders of the association and that of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has been arrested by Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offence over the death of Alhaji Rasaq Bello popularly known as Hamburger, allegedly killed last Monday during the councillorship primaries of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
They had quoted a release by the head, public affairs unit of the Lagos state taskforce, Adebayo Taofeek which stated that different warring factional leaders of the national Union of Road transport workers (NURTW) and Road transport Employers Association of Nigeria trying to foment trouble around the Oshodi area with their supporters have been arrested and were presently with the state Commissioner of Police.
Taofeek, in the release identified the arrested notorious NURTW and RTEAN warring factional leaders at Oshodi by the operatives of the Lagos State Task Force to include ‘Taloo’ ‘Alayoo’ and ‘Ijee’.
It reads in part, “The Chairman disclosed further that different warring factional leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) trying to foment trouble around Mafoluku, Shogunle, Sadiku, Ladipo and Oshodi with their supporters have been arrested and were presently with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Mr. Fatai Owoseni for interrogations.
Arrested notorious NURTW and RTEAN warring factional leaders at Oshodi by the operatives of the Lagos State Task Force includes ‘Taloo’ ‘Alayoo’ and ‘Ijee.’”
Debunking the statement on Monday in a chat with journalists in his office, the State Secretary of RTEAN, comrade Lekan Amusan asserted it is not possible for its members to be arrested over the crisis, adding that RTEAN does not operate in Oshodi area and its environ.
