The Osun State Police Command has arrested a suspected hoodlum following a violent clash between rival factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Osogbo. This Osun NURTW clash left three security operatives with gunshot injuries.
According to The Punch, Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan disclosed the arrest on Tuesday. He did so while briefing journalists on the command’s recent operational successes.
Gotan said the crisis began on July 20 when a faction of the NURTW protested. They alleged that the dominant faction prevented its vehicles from accessing a motor park in Osogbo. The protest later escalated into what many have described as the Osun NURTW clash.
“It could be recalled that on 20th July, 2026, a protest was carried out by a faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Osun State that their vehicles were not allowed into the garage by the dominant faction. This reportedly escalated into clashes involving another faction of the union in Osogbo. The Osun State Police Command responded swiftly and restored normalcy,” he said.
The commissioner explained that the situation worsened later that day. This happened after police received reports of armed hoodlums shooting indiscriminately in the Oke-Ijetu area of Osogbo.
“But at about 5:30pm of the same date, a distress call was received by the Command that there was a group of hoodlums shooting sporadically at Oke-Ijetu Area, Osogbo,” Gotan said.
He said operatives from the Anti-Robbery and Violent Crime Response Unit immediately responded to the scene.
“A team of Anti-Robbery and Violent Crime Response Unit personnel swung into action. On getting to the scene, the hoodlums, suspected to be faction of one Wakili Alowonle, started shooting at the police operatives. Three security operatives sustained various degree of gunshot injury and are responding to treatment at the hospital,” he said.
Gotan said officers arrested a 40-year-old suspect, Adedeji Saheed Opeyemi, during the exchange of gunfire. The arrest was directly linked to the recent Osun NURTW clash in Osogbo.
According to the police commissioner, the suspect confessed that he was invited to the scene by an associate identified as Sibi. This was after receiving instructions from one Wakili Alowonle.
“He also confessed that Sibi came to meet him with two pump-action guns and handed one over to him. He is assisting the police with investigation for possible arrest of others at large,” Gotan said.
The police recovered six expended cartridges, four vehicles, four motorcycles, military camouflage and suspected criminal charms during the operation.
Three suspects arrested over stolen motorcycle
Gotan also announced the arrest of three suspects over the theft of a Bajaj motorcycle in Osogbo.
The suspects were identified as Kamarudeen Babatunde, 39, Lekan Usman, 22, and Moses Oyebade, 40.
He said police received a report on July 19 that a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number MEK 987 VU had been stolen at Osunjela, Osogbo.
Officers later traced the motorcycle to Modakeke through intelligence gathering. They recovered it before arresting the two suspects and the alleged receiver in Ondo State.
“All the suspects and the recovered motorcycle are already in custody for further investigation,” he said.
Police arrest suspected political thugs
The commissioner further disclosed the arrest of two suspected political thugs, Alawode Ridwan, 26, and Ajibade Ahmed, 33.
He said police responded to a distress call on July 16. The report stated that the suspects were causing unrest around the Amadia area of Osogbo.
“Police detectives swiftly swung into action and apprehended the suspects,” Gotan said.
He assured residents that all suspects arrested in connection with the various incidents would face prosecution after investigations. In summary, these actions demonstrate the police response in the aftermath of the Osun NURTW clash in Osogbo.
“All suspects will be charged to court after the completion of investigation,” he said.
Gotan also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information. This information is capable of preventing crime.
“Public should give prompt and credible information to the Police. Also, they should be at alert on what is happening around them and report any suspicious movement to the security agencies,” he said. Moreover, after incidents like the Osun NURTW clash, vigilance and cooperation from the public is even more crucial.
