Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Monday arrested Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, the court-recognised president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), alongside several of his supporters during a confrontation at the union’s national headquarters in Abuja.
The incident occurred when Baruwa and his team arrived at the secretariat to enforce a court ruling affirming his leadership of the union.
The situation reportedly turned violent, with police officers dispersing the gathering using teargas. One supporter was allegedly shot, while several others were said to have been assaulted. The condition of the injured individual could not be immediately confirmed.
Baruwa’s arrest followed the clash, though his whereabouts remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
The development comes weeks after the National Industrial Court in Abuja delivered judgment in favour of Baruwa and his faction of the union.
In the ruling delivered on March 6, 2026, in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/203/2025, Justice E. D. Subilim directed that Baruwa and other claimants take immediate control of the union’s affairs.
The court also ordered members of a rival faction, including those aligned with Musiliu Akinsanya, to vacate the NURTW national secretariat and hand over all union property, documents, and facilities to Baruwa’s leadership.
Additionally, the court restrained the defendants and their agents from parading themselves as union officials or collecting levies and tickets from members nationwide.
Despite the court order, police officers were reportedly deployed to the secretariat, preventing Baruwa from assuming office.
Sources said Baruwa and his supporters were resisted upon arrival at the premises on Monday morning, leading to a confrontation with security operatives.
Prior to the incident, Baruwa had addressed journalists at the secretariat, insisting that his actions were in line with valid court judgments, including rulings from both lower and appellate courts.
He stated that the union had formally notified the police of its intention to reclaim the office, submitting copies of the judgments to facilitate compliance.
Baruwa maintained that his faction’s move to occupy the secretariat was peaceful and aimed solely at enforcing the court’s directive.
He said the union had exercised patience for nearly two years while waiting for compliance with the rulings.
According to him, despite the tensions and reported attack on one of his members, the union remains open to reconciliation.
He emphasised that the group is law-abiding and committed to resolving the dispute within legal frameworks, stressing that no individual or group is above the law.
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