Security operatives on Monday cordoned off the national secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Abuja, intensifying concerns over a prolonged leadership crisis within the union.
Personnel drawn from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Department of State Services were deployed to the premises, sealing off the area and restricting access to members and visitors.
An operative stationed at the gate confirmed that the action was carried out on orders from higher authorities. According to him, entry into the premises was prohibited, with the restriction expected to last for an unspecified period.
The development follows an earlier move by Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa to assert control over the secretariat, reportedly displacing supporters loyal to Musiliu Akinsanya, a prominent figure within the union. Baruwa maintained that his actions were based on favorable court rulings, insisting that the takeover was not forceful but a step toward enforcing legal decisions that had allegedly been ignored for nearly two years.
Eyewitnesses reported that the heavy presence of armed security personnel heightened tensions around the area, as supporters from both factions gathered briefly before being dispersed.
The ongoing standoff underscores growing fears of potential unrest as the dispute between the rival factions continues unresolved. As of press time, security agencies remain stationed at the secretariat, with uncertainty surrounding when normal operations will resume.
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