Following the suspension of the Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo, the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, has deployed policemen in various parts of the state, including motor parks, to forestall a possible breakdown of law and order.
The national body of the transport union, in a statement on Thursday, suspended Akinsanya for insubordination and gross misconduct.
This was after he was queried twice by the body.
The statement read in part, “Your suspension is sequel to sustained acts of insubordination and gross misconduct coupled with your clandestine plans to instigate crisis and unleash mayhem on any branch or branches of the union in Lagos State that refuses to obey your order or instructions not to accept directives from the national headquarters of the union.
“Your orchestrated plan to attack branches that may disobey your orders aforesaid will ultimately endanger public peace and order in Lagos State. It is also very likely to threaten and/or affect the lives and property of the peace-loving people of Lagos State, particularly those doing their legitimate businesses within motor parks, hence the urgent need to take drastic actions.
“In view of your suspension, you are hereby directed to hand over the mantle of leadership of the Lagos State council to the state Deputy Chairman and also surrender all union property in your possession to the state secretary of the union forthwith.”
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The Deputy Secretary of the NURTW, Chukwudi Asogwa, confirmed the development to our correspondent.
Reacting to the suspension, Akinsanya, in a statement sent by his aide, Jimoh Buari, said the NURTW, Lagos State, with over 200 branches and zones, had resolved to withdraw its membership and operation from the national body.
The embattled union leader said the constitution provided for freedom of association, hence he was not under obligation to continue with the union.
“We hereby call on the Lagos State Government to take over the running of the affairs of the union with the constitution of a park management committee for motor garages and parks in the state, thereby ensuring peace and tranquillity, pending the determination of the matter in the interest of the good people of Lagos State,” the statement added.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said the state police commissioner had intensified security in the state.
Ajisebutu said “I can confirm to you that the CP has given directives to all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Patrol Commanders to ensure intensive patrol of every part of the state, including motor parks, to forestall a possible breakdown of law and order.
“It is a routine that we have the presence of policemen deployed in every nook and cranny of the state. But when envisaging any breakdown of law and order, we do additional deployment with a view to forestalling any breakdown of law and order and that is what we have done in this instance.”
