The transport union in the state whose chairman, Titilope Akinu, was shot alongside five other members at a public function in Abeokuta attended by the state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, said there might likely be bloody violence next week following the threat by the chairman, Ogun state Parks Management, Akeem Bodurin.
The Ogun RTEAN Secretary, Tiwalade Akingbade, raised the alarm on Friday during a press briefing held in Abeokuta.
Akingabde said Bofunrin went to some parks and garages in the state and threatened their members of violence next week.
He said the peaceful atmosphere in the state had been truncated following the violence that broke out a few days ago leaving six people with various degrees of gun injuries including the RTEAN chairman.
He said members of RTEAN in some parks and garages have been warned to stay away from the parks next week by Bodurin, threatening to take over the parks and garages.
Akingbade said the threat which was contrary to the government’s policy of one-week work, one-week rest is capable of turning the state into a theatre of war if nothing is done.
He said “Three days ago, Mr. Akeem Bodunrin a.k.a. lyeru led members of his OGSPAM to attack our State Chairman, Comrade Akibu Titilayo, a.k.a Efele while in the company of the State governor at the palace of Olu of Itori, Oba AbdulFatai Akorede Akamo.
“Many of our members who accompanied our State Chairman received various degrees of injuries from guns to matchet attacks. Gunshots were fired directly at Comrade Akibu Titilayo who escaped by a whisker.
“Mr. Akeem Bodunrin alias lyeru has been issuing threats to take over all parks and garages in the State from members of RTEAN during our one-week work that would be due from January 2, 2023.
“This is the import of this press conference. We are informing all the security agencies, the police, DSS, NSCDC, Amotekun, So-Safe and others, the State government and the general public that we, at the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, would not it idly, fold our arms and receive violent attacks from thugs and hooligans.
Reacting to the allegation, the vice chairman of the OSPAM, Ajagbe Olatunbosun, denied the allegations against Bodunrin
He described the allegation against the IDPAM chairman as unfair.
He said “I don’t know what they want to gain by using these very strong allegations against him, it’s not fair.
“The point is that Alhaji Akeem Iyeru has been given the park management by the Ogun state governor, so, which part does he want to take over? He cannot take over anything that belongs to him, the power of management belongs to Alhaji Iyeru, nothing like such.”
When contacted, the Ogun Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the threat, adding that the command will deal with anyone that causes violence in the state.
He also revealed that an investigation was ongoing over the shooting at a public function attended by the governor where six persons were hospitalised.
He said, “We will not ask people not to cause problems, but, whoever causes problems, should be ready for the consequence or consequences. So, we are also ready for anybody who wants to cause trouble, we will not fold our hands while some people will be throwing the state into pandemonium, it will not happen and we have commenced an investigation into the incident that happened in Itori.
“Anyone that is found culpable on that incident will be made to face the full weight of the law. So, whoever is threatening to cause violence, or whoever has the intention of causing any violence in the state will be made to face the full weight of the law no matter the status of that person. So, whoever that wants to cause trouble should think twice because, such a person will have us to contend with. We are not leaving any stone unturned.”
