Ekiti Commercial Drivers Go on Rampage Over Arrest of Colleague by Gov. Fayose

Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW) on Tuesday, went on a violent protest over the detention of their member at the instance of the state governor, Ayodele Fayose.

 

According to Premium Times, the drivers were reportedly angry that Ahmed Kolo, a driver, was arrested and arraigned for allegedly being rude to the governor.

 

It was gathered that Kolo who was said to have driven recklessly against Governor Fayose on September 24 when the governor drove himself to Ajilosun area in Ado Ekiti, was immediately arraigned at the Ado Ekiti Magistrate’s court for traffic offence.

 

Members of the union who claimed that the arraignment was against a promise made by the governor that he had forgiven the driver, started the protest which became violent with the protesting drivers setting bonfires on the highways.

 

“One of us was shot at Ajilosun very close to Fayose market. There is no way we won’t revenge the killing. We are even going to burn down police station if that boy dies,” a driver who would not want to named told reporters on Tuesday.

 

He also refused to give further details on the victim’s whereabouts and the hospital he was taken to.

 

The drivers damaged vehicles parked on the road, including a Toyota Avensis marked Ondo AKR 657 FW belonging to one Florence Olukolade, and maltreated passers-by and commuters.

 

There was shooting and brandishing of dangerous weapons as they marched along the streets to register their displeasure. They also hurled stones at the anti-riot policemen who were deployed in the area to quell the crisis.

 

It took the over 100 policemen drafted to the area more than three hours to restore normalcy in the area as traders at the popular Erekesan Market, hurriedly removed their goods, locked up their shops and scampered for safety.

 

The Secretary to the State Government, Modupe Alade, said the arraigned driver was rude to the governor and refused to apologise, saying his action resulted to his arrest and arraignment for traffic offence.

 

She said; “This driver drove recklessly against the convoy and he was arrested. Rather than apologising, he was rude to the governor.

“The governor asked them to come and apologise , but they refused. The governor as a no-nonsense person who won’t tolerate any threat from anybody. And not until he apologised, he won’t be released.”