One dead as transporters clash in Kwara community

One person was feared dead on Sunday during a fracas between members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Offa, Offa local government area of Kwara state. It was learnt that dangerous weapons like cutlasses and machetes were freely brandished and used while unspecified number of vehicles were destroyed. Scores of others were said to have sustained injuries through machetes’ cuts even as a secretariat of one of the unions was touched by the angry members. Sources said the clash resulted from a disagreement between the two unions on the way to convey students of the state College of Health Technology, Offa going on internship to Ondo, Ekiti and other neighbouring states. The incident caused panic in and around Offa even as heavy detachment of mobile policemen was mobilized to the community. Public Relations Officer of the state police command, ASP Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed that one person who received deep machetes’ cut on the neck lost his life during the fracas. Mr. Okasanmi added that the police had arrested ten persons who, he said, were assisting the police in their investigations. A member of the state House of Assembly, Hassan Oyeleke condemned the fracas, saying it is unfortunate. He said Offa community is reputed for its spirit of fraternity and brotherhood. “We are just recovering from the 2013 communal clashes which were triggered by the same unions. We are tasking every member of the community in order to rebuild the over 200 shops in Owode Market destroyed during those clashes.  What is in a union” he asked.