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ABUJA – The FCT Police Command has officially debunked viral social media reports claiming that officers shot at members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) during the early morning takeover of their National Secretariat.
The Arrest of Alhaji Baruwa
In a surprising twist to the leadership saga, the police confirmed the arrest of seven suspects following the disturbance. Among those taken into custody is Ibikunle Baruwa, the claimant who earlier today announced he had reclaimed the secretariat.
The seven suspects—identified as Sularman Musa, Nasiru Ibrahim, Alhaji Sadisu Musa, Dalha Suleiman, Abdullahi Garba, Saheed Fojebi, and Ibikunle Baruwa—have already been charged to Magistrate Court 1, Wuse Zone 2.
Morning of Chaos: 300 Armed Men Storm Secretariat
According to FCT Command spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh, the police responded to a distress call at approximately 7:00 AM. They arrived to find about 300 individuals armed with:
- Cutlasses and Bottles
- Bows and Arrows
The group was reportedly attempting to enforce a court order without the presence of official court sheriffs or legal bailiffs. This led to a violent physical confrontation with other union members who resisted the entry.
Casualties and Police Response
- Severe Injury: One victim was rescued by police after sustaining deep machete wounds to the neck.
- Multiple Hospitalizations: Several others were rushed to nearby hospitals with varying degrees of injury.
- Firearms Update: SP Adeh stressed that no firearms were discharged by police officers and that the reports of shooting were "false and misleading."
Normalcy has since been restored to the Sapele Street area in Garki II, with a heavy security presence remaining to prevent further clashes.
Key Takeaways for Information Hub Readers:
- Plot Twist: Alhaji Baruwa has been arrested and charged, despite his earlier victory announcement.
- Fact Check: Police did NOT open fire on union members.
- Legal Note: Attempting to enforce a court order without court officials (sheriffs) is considered illegal and led to this police intervention.
- Safety: One person is in critical condition with neck wounds.
