By Abuja, Nigeria
Police Dismiss Shooting Claims, Arraign Seven Over NURTW Office Clash in AbujaThe Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has debunked viral reports alleging that its personnel opened fire on members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) during a violent incident in Garki II, Abuja, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the command clarified that the disturbance occurred early Monday morning at the NURTW headquarters along Sapele Street. According to Adeh, the police received a distress call at about 7:00 a.m. reporting that a large group of approximately 300 individuals, armed with dangerous weapons including cutlasses, bottles, bows, and arrows, had invaded the premises and were carting away items.
She said a rapid response team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Isyaku Sharu, was immediately deployed to the scene. Preliminary investigations revealed that the group was attempting to enforce a court order without the presence of authorized court officials, including sheriffs. The situation escalated into violence when opposing NURTW members resisted the action.
According to the statement, the confrontation left one individual with severe machete wounds to the neck. Police operatives rescued the victim, while several others who sustained injuries were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, Ade added.
The command confirmed the arrest of seven suspects identified as Sulaiman A. Musa, Nasiru Ibrahim, Alhaji Sadisu Musa, Dalha Suleiman, Abdullahi Garba, Saheed Fojebi, and Ibikunle T. Baruwa. Adeh further disclosed that the suspects have been arraigned before Magistrate Court 1 in Wuse Zone 2, while normalcy has been restored in the area.
Reaffirming the command’s commitment to public safety, the police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through its emergency lines.
