By Ghazali Ibrahim
National Union of Road Transport Workers Factional leader Tajudeen Baruwa has been arrested by police following the dramatic takeover of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja in the early hours of Monday.
According to emerging reports, Baruwa was arrested hours after he led members of his faction to reclaim the NURTW headquarters amid an ongoing leadership tussle within the union.
The takeover followed a prolonged dispute over the union’s leadership, which has been the subject of multiple court rulings.
Videos circulating online showed Baruwa’s supporters occupying the secretariat and asserting control.
The arrest is said to have occurred shortly after the takeover, with security operatives intervening at the premises.
The latest development marks a significant escalation in the long-running crisis within the NURTW, which has seen rival factions battle for control of the influential transport union.
The dispute intensified after conflicting claims of leadership between Baruwa and supporters of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo.
Baruwa has consistently maintained that court rulings recognise him as the legitimate president of the union, while opposing factions have resisted his leadership, leading to repeated confrontations and security interventions.
Notably, this is not the first time Baruwa has faced arrest in connection with the dispute, as previous incidents in 2023 also saw security agencies detain union him during similar clashes.
