Dare Babalola
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Monday dismissed viral videos alleging that its operatives shot members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers during a clash at the union’s headquarters in Abuja, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said officers were only deployed to restore order following a distress call from the scene in Garki II.
Adeh disclosed that at about 7:00 a.m. on March 23, 2026, the command received reports that roughly 300 individuals armed with cutlasses, bottles, bows and arrows had stormed the NURTW secretariat and were carting away items.
She explained that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Isyaku Sharu, led a team to the location, where preliminary findings indicated that the group was attempting to enforce a court order without the presence of authorised court officials.
According to her, the situation escalated when other union members resisted the move, resulting in a violent confrontation.
“The FCT Police Command is aware of videos circulating on social media alleging that personnel shot at NURTW members. These claims are false and intended to mislead the public,” Adeh said.
She added, “Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that the suspects were trying to enforce a court order without court sheriffs. The situation degenerated into a clash when other members resisted, leading to one individual sustaining severe machete wounds to the neck. The victim was rescued, while others injured were taken to hospital.”
The police spokesperson confirmed that seven suspects — Sulaiman A. Musa, Nasiru Ibrahim, Alhaji Sadisu Musa, Dalha Suleiman, Abdullahi Garba, Saheed Fojebi and Ibikunle T. Baruwa — were arrested at the scene.
She noted that the suspects have since been arraigned before Magistrate Court 1 in Wuse Zone 2, adding that normalcy has been restored to the area.
Meanwhile, the incident comes amid an ongoing leadership tussle within the NURTW, as former president Tajudeen Baruwa recently took control of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, displacing Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, citing court rulings.
