NURTW VICE CHAIRMAN STABBED TO DEATH BY THUGS

By Akpabio Aniema

The vice chairman of a branch National Union of Road Transport Workers had been stabbed to death by a gang of thugs. It was learnt that the victim, Seyi Olaleye (32 years), alias Seyi Rugged, was the vice chairman, NURTW, Deji Ayewa, Costain branch, was killed at Moore Street off Apapa Road in Ebute Meta area of Lagos State. it was learnt that he was killed in the course of a conflict with a group of thugs led by one Waheed alias Skippo. It was learnt that Seyi and Skippo and their individual followers had been on logger heads for awhile.

It was learnt that the rival group attacked Seyi Rugged’s group during a fresh crises at a carnival which took place in the first week of January this year. It was learnt by a member of the Neighbourhood Watch that ‘‘Seyi Rugged’s group controls Jones, Vaughan streets as well as Oto and Railway line. While Skippo controls Brickfield, Olokodana, Illogbo and Fagbiamu areas. At a carnival which took place on January 6 at Abule Nla, Seyi Rugged’s boys were attacked and overpowered by Skippo boys and fled. ‘‘that same week, Seyi Rugged’s boys were again attacked and he felt it was time to retaliate.’’ It was learnt that the community elders called Seyi Rugged for a meeting two weeks earlier imploring him for reconciliation with Skippo, on which he agreed and promised not to provoke any trouble.

The deceased who is married with two sons, was said to have complained that he and his boys were being marginalised by the authorities of the Mainland local government who outsourced jobs to Skippo’s faction. It was learnt from one resident (Iya Dada) that Skippo was part of the local government security team that is why his team always enjoyed benefits from the government. It was learnt that penultimate Friday, after a caucus meeting of the All Progressive Congress, a prominent member of the party gave out money to some of the thugs that had gathered to croon to him, the action which soon caused a fight between the two rivalry groups. According to an eyewitness, one Adebola Onafeko, he said, ‘‘Around 6pm, Seyi Rugged led his boys to fight against Skippo and his boys. The deceased was hacked several times and his fingers chopped off. Skippo and his boys too sustained injuries, a few minutes later, Seyi Rugged who was in a pool of his blood was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre where he was pronounced dead.’’ ‘‘The case was reported at the Iponri Police Division and some policemen came to the hospital.’’ It was learnt that many youths has been arrested in the area. However, the deceased who is a graduate of the Polytechnic, Ibadan has been buried and the residents urged the police to beef up security in the area to avoid any retaliation.