On Monday, there was chaos as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers clashed in Ikare Akoko, the administrative centre of Ondo State’s Akoko North-East Local Government Area.
Semiu Aliu, a community member who was deaf and discarded, was reportedly hit by stray bullets during the clash.
Shopkeepers and market vendors in the area hurriedly shut their doors as nearby residents fled helter-skelter for cover as the two NURTW factions were shooting sporadically.
Additionally, for a number of hours, all vehicular traffic was stopped, forcing many people to walk to their destinations.
An eyewitness said, “The crisis started when some NURTW members were seen loading passengers at Oloko area where the government had banned them from loading.
“After they were challenged, the drivers obeyed and left the park. But they later came back in their number and started throwing stones. When that was going on, the rain started and that made everyone leave the scene.
“After the rain subsided, they came out again with guns and started shooting sporadically. One person from the Okela axis was shot. He was rushed to Oke Royal Hospital where he was receiving treatment.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident but said normalcy had returned to the community after the intervention of the men of the command.
“One person was shot and quickly rushed to the hospital in the Ikare crisis,” the PPRO stated.
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