The Lagos State Tricycle Operators and Owners Association of Nigeria, TOOAN, has raised the alarm that the suspended chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Musiliu Akinsanya, wants the cancellation of Keke Marwa operations in the state.
This was just as one of the leading members of TOOAN, Olagunju Rasheed popularly known as Eko, escaped death early this morning.
This newspaper recalled that the fight between MC Oluomo, as Akinsanya is popular known and Istijabah had left to the suspension of the former.
This newspaper interview the man who whose tricycle eas damaged early this morning. Excerpts.
What is your name?
My name is Olagunju Rasheed popularly known as Eko.
What happened this morning?
This morning I left home for work. I was outside working, I was returning from Ajuwon where I went to drop some passengers when I started feeling slight pain in my stomach so I decided to park on the street. After parking, I went to toilet. I was still there when a young boy came running towards my direction, shouting Eko, Eko, Eko…. I asked him what happened, then he told me that they are about to burn my tricycle. I had to immediately rush out but on getting to the gate of the house, I discovered that if care was not taken, I might be attacked.
So I decided to stay where I was, watching them as they were shooting. I can’t say who they were but if I see them I can recognize them.
I don’t know what happened really. It is the bosses that are fighting at the top — MC Oluomo and Istijabah.
Are you an Executive?
No, I am not. I don’t know why they came for me. They met my tricycle because I was in the toilet.
What are the police doing?
I don’t know. The way I am currently I have only God.
Has Istijabah called you?
I don’t have access to Istijabah or Oluomo.
If someone was inside, would the person have been shot?
Yes. That’s the first thing I am thankful for that I wasn’t inside the tricycle at the period. Because I am a stubborn person, I might not have agreed to leave easily.
Those people pushed it from where I parked it to this place to set it ablaze.
————————————————
TOOAN Statement:
LAGOS STATE POLICE COMMISSIONER
INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE
SECURITY ALERT TO THE LAGOS STATE POLICE COMMISSIONER OVER ATTEMPT BY ALH. MUSILIU AKINSANYA, MC OLUOMO AND SOME OCULT GROUP TO ILLEGALLY AND FORCEFULLY TAKE OVER PARKS IN ALIMOSHO, IFAKO-IJAYE AND OTHER PART OF LAGOS STATE ON MONDAY 11/04/2022
1.The attention of the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Abiodun Alabi, is hereby drawn to an attempt by Alh. Musiliu Akinsanya, MC Oluomo to cause mayhem in Alimosho, Ifako-Ijaye and other parts of Lagos State on Monday April 11,2022, in a bid to forcefully take over parks in the areas.
2.One of such move was when Alh. Akinsanya at the weekend paid a courtesy visit to the palace of Oba Rilwan Oluwalambe, Oba of Ojokoro land in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, with some group of cultists to take over parks and garages in the area and threatening to take over Ojokoro by all means.
3.He reportedly visited other areas in Alimosho and other part of Lagos State to prepare his boys for the mayhem on Monday.
4.We wish to inform the Police Authority that any attempt to hijack the Union activities under the control and supervision of TOOAN will be met with tough resistance.
5.As peace loving Lagosians and transport Union , we have shown sufficient decorum as members of the Lagos State Tricycle Operators and Owners Association of Nigeria(TOOAN), and have refused to join issue between the National body of National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW) and the suspended and sacked Lagos State Chairman commenced.
6, We wish to appeal to the Police Authority and the Lagos State Government including the Lagos State House of Assembly to call Alh. Musiliu Akinsanya to order, TOOAN is an association created by law and registered , is not under his jurisdiction and we will never cow to his threat.
7.TOOAN is a lawful, peaceful and non-violent union of employers and workers who are engaged in the tricycle trade or industry operating in Lagos State.
8.As far as the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) are concerned, there has been no negative reports against the union engaging in anti-social or criminal activities anywhere in Lagos State.
9.The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Section 40 thereof provides that “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any association for the protection of his interests.”
10.TOOAN is a registered and recognized union operating under the laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
11.We wish to affirmatively state that any attempt by any known occult group to infiltrate the Union activities under our watch and supervision will be resisted.
12.We also wish to inform anyone under any guise who would like to cause trouble and unleash mayhem on Lagosians on Monday to desist.
13.Again, we wish to commend the gallant efforts of our members for standing still. While we await the Lagos State Police Authorities’ swift response, we urge you to go ahead with your activities in peaceful manner on Monday.
Signed
TOOAN Lagos State Council
God bless Lagos State
God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
