Arrested NURTW President, Baruwa Breaks Silence As Police Grant Him Freedom

Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa

Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, the President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has broken his silence following his arrest by the Police while appreciating the Nigeria Labour Congres, NLC for their intervention.

The police arrested Baruwa and the union’s General Secretary, Anthony Asogwa Chukudi; National Trustee, Olayi Odion; and the Principal Assistant Secretary, Abdulrasak Yemi.

The NURTW officials were detained at the Wuse Zone 3 Division in Abuja. The police are said to have invited Baruwa and a former Lagos State chairman of the union, Tajudeen Agbede, for investigation on Friday, August 11, following alleged plans by some groups to stage a protest at the National Secretariat of the union located at Garki 2, Abuja.

However, while addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Baruwa enjoined members of the union to remain law-abiding and eschew conduct capable of leading to the disturbance of public peace in their domain.

He urged members at the state levels to be law-abiding and go about their normal businesses without any molestation, adding that the union was working toward resolving the issue in question.

According to him, NURTW has remained peaceful over the years and would not allow anything to truncate and jeopardise its track record and successes.

Baruwa also commended the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) under the leadership of Comrade Joe Ajaero for their quick intervention during the crisis.

He said, “We want to use this medium to express our appreciation to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and our members at the state councils and branches for their support and intervention on the issue.

“We are calling on our members across the states to be calm, peaceful and law-abiding in their daily activities. We want to assure you that the matter is being addressed and it will soon be resolved.”

He said he had regained his freedom and was no longer in police custody. Baruwa cautioned NURTW members against making inflammatory statements capable of undermining the union.

He, therefore, urged the state chairmen and members to place the interest of the union above their personal interest and work together as a team to uplift the union.