Armed Soldiers have been deployed to the crisis areas of Ado-Ekiti, capital of Ekiti state to restore peace following weekend fierce battle between rival members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
Members of RTEAN in Ekiti had on Wednesday evening engaged one another in a fight at the Okeyimi motor park, demanding the removal of the state chairman of the association, Chief Joseph Rotimi Olabiwoninu a.k.a Mentilo over alleged high handedness and mismanagement of union’s funds.
The aggrieved drivers said the embattled chairman had over stayed his tenure, having spent nine years in office contrary to the eight years stipulated by the union’s constitution.
They set up bonfires, blocked major roads and brandished dangerous weapons, forcing many shops in the area to close for the day.
Governor Fayemi had on Wednesday met with the national leadership of the transport union, led by its president, Chief Musa Isiwele Shehu and the state chairman, Chief Joseph Rotimi, where he urged for a cease fire among the warring factions.
Sources said the soldiers were deployed to the area to prevent the crisis from spreading to other part of the capital.
Spokesman of the Ekiti State police command, ASP Victor Babayemi described the crisis as a civil disturbance but said the situation has since been brought under control.
According to Babayemi, “though there was civil disturbance in Ado-Ekiti yesterday by members of the RTEAN, the situation has been brought under control and we are now on top of the situation,” he said.
However, he said he could not confirm the number of arrest made since the RTEAN crisis started last Friday.
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