Tension gripped the nation’s capital on Monday as operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command arrested Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, the court-recognized president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), during a confrontation at the union’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Baruwa was arrested alongside several of his supporters after he arrived at the union’s headquarters to enforce a court judgment that affirmed him as the legitimate leader of the organisation. The situation quickly turned chaotic, with reports of violence, injuries, and the use of tear gas by police officers deployed to the scene.
Eyewitnesses said the union leader and his team met resistance from security operatives, leading to a clash that left several people injured. One of Baruwa’s supporters was reportedly shot during the incident, although details about the victim’s condition were still unclear as of the time of filing this report.
The crisis is the latest development in a long-running leadership dispute within the NURTW, one of Nigeria’s most influential transport unions, known for its presence across motor parks and its role in the daily movement of passengers and goods nationwide.
At the centre of the dispute is a power struggle between Baruwa and a rival faction led by Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo. The rivalry has led to deep divisions within the union, with both sides laying claim to its leadership and control of its operations.
The confrontation on Monday followed a ruling by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja, which had earlier affirmed Baruwa as the rightful president of the union. In the judgment delivered on March 6, 2026, Justice E. D. Subilim ordered the rival faction to vacate the union’s national secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory.
The court directed that Baruwa and his team should immediately take control of the union’s affairs. It also instructed that all those occupying the office through the rival leadership must vacate the premises and hand over all union property, documents, and facilities.
In addition, the court restrained the defendants and their agents from parading themselves as officials of the union or collecting levies and tickets from members across the country.
The claimants in the suit included Baruwa and several other union members, while the defendants were key figures in the rival faction. The case, marked NICN/ABJ/203/2025, had been closely followed by stakeholders in the transport sector.
Despite the clear court order, Monday’s events showed that the leadership crisis is far from over. Sources said police officers were deployed to the secretariat ahead of Baruwa’s arrival and prevented him from gaining access to the building.
According to accounts from the scene, officers used force to disperse supporters who had gathered to witness the takeover. Tear gas was fired into the crowd, causing panic and forcing many to flee.
A source close to the union said Baruwa was physically assaulted during the confrontation before being taken into custody by the police. His whereabouts were not immediately known after the arrest, raising concerns among his supporters.
Before the incident, Baruwa had addressed journalists at the secretariat, insisting that his actions were based on valid court rulings. He stated that the union had formally notified the police authorities, providing copies of the judgments to ensure a smooth handover.
However, he expressed disappointment with the response from security agencies, saying their attitude had not reflected support for the enforcement of the court’s decision.
“Our coming here is not to cause trouble,” Baruwa told reporters. “We are a law-abiding organisation. We are only here to take back what belongs to us through the court’s directive.”
He added that the union had waited for nearly two years for compliance with court orders before deciding to take action.
“We have obtained judgments at both the lower court and the Appeal Court, but they refused to obey. That is why we are here today, peacefully, to resume work,” he said.
Baruwa also claimed that members of the rival faction attacked one of his supporters, who was later taken to the hospital. He, however, maintained that his group remained open to reconciliation and dialogue.
The NURTW has a long history in Nigeria’s transport system and plays a major role in regulating activities in motor parks across the country. The union is also known for its influence in local politics, especially in urban centres where transport operations are closely tied to political structures.
Over the years, leadership disputes within the union have sometimes led to violence, disrupting transport services and raising concerns about public safety. The current crisis is seen as part of a broader struggle for control over the union’s structure and resources.
As of Monday evening, there was no official statement from the police explaining the reasons for Baruwa’s arrest or the actions taken at the secretariat. Efforts to reach police authorities for comments were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, transport workers and commuters are watching developments closely, as any prolonged crisis within the union could affect operations in motor parks and disrupt daily activities in many parts of the country.
For now, the situation remains tense, with uncertainty over who will ultimately take control of the NURTW headquarters in Abuja. Many stakeholders are calling for calm and urging all parties to resolve their differences through legal and peaceful means.