Mr Shakiru Fashina, Media Officer for the Lagos State Park and Garages Management, (LASPGM) Amuwo Odofin Branch, Badagry Division, has described a report published by Punch Newspaper on an incident which happened between a group known as Council for Maritime Truck Unions and Associations, (COMTUA) and LASPGM in Lagos, as baseless and outright falsehood which was designed to instigate chaos in the state.
He also called on the state authorities including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and state Police Commissioner, CP Abiodun Alabi to investigate the matter with a view to unraveling the truth.
In a statement, he said LASPGM was shocked over the unfortunate attempt to tarnish its image through the report.
The statement explained that on the said day, COMTUA members had a cordial discussion with LASPGM officials in the presence of police and were advised to get necessary documents for their request to be honoured noting that there are video evidence to back up this.
It stated further that, “We are surprised and shocked with the news headlined ‘Truckers write Sanwo-Olu over four missing members’, published in the ‘Punch Newspaper Online’ dated 14th December, 2022.
“The publication falsely mentioned illegal possession of firearms, suspected murder, kidnapping, vandalism of properties, and break down of law and order when members of Council for Maritime Truck Unions and Associations, (COMTUA) trying to ensure sanity in the movement of truck were attacked by hoodlums suspected to be ‘Ecomog Boys’.”
LASPGM added that, “To set the record straight and debunk the malicious allegations made by the COMTUA against it, and erroneously published without proper investigation by Punch newspapers, there is no group known as “Ecomog Boys” in Mile 2, but a body known under the state transport regulation called Lagos State Park and Garages Management, (LASPGM) Amuwo Odofin Branch.There is no element of truth in the said report, which is very alarming and ill motivated meant to cause chaos in the state.”
Fashina stated further that, “On Tuesday, 13th December, 2022 at Mile 2 bridge, Apapa/Oshodi expressway, a team of Nigeria Police from Area E, Festac Town division led Council for Maritime Truck Unions and Associations (COMTUA) members to the designated check point for trucks and heavy-duty containers accessing Apapa Port, invoking a purported ‘Order from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi that LASPGM members should vacate the road’. In response, members of LASPGM requested for the warrant or letter to that effect, and none was presented.
“With no record of violence, harassment or intimidation and video evidence to that effect, in a very diplomatic and friendly manner, both parties resolved that a proper warrant or letter addressed to the branch should be presented and the state Chairman of LASPGM whose activities is backed by the Lagos State Transport Regulation should be copied for such order to be invoked.
“It was therefore with great shock and dismay to read a false publication that ‘Truckers write Sanwo-Olu over four missing members’. We want to categorically state that, THIS IS A FALSE ALARM AND FAKE NEWS. It seems the news was prepared based on perception and fabricated statement to cause uprising in the state and a dent to the image of LASPGM members.
“It is good to clear the air on these baseless and fallacious allegations levelled against our members; no police officers was harassed and no breakdown of law and order, as everyone went about their normal businesses.The police officers conducted themselves in a good professional manner and ensured there is no breakdown of law and order. The police who led the COMTUA members later urged them to WRITE A LETTER TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY to avoid any unrest.
“We strongly protest the malicious publication and call the attention of the Lagos state, Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi to investigate the incident.
“It is also interesting to note that, this group called COMTUA which is headed by one Prince Taofeek Adeyinka Aroyewun popularly known as YINKA is not a registered and recognized union under state laws in Lagos, therefore has no business on the state roads where there are state authority and stakeholders responsible to ensure free flow of traffic on the axis of Mile 2 bridge, Apapa/Oshodi expressway.
“The head of COMTUA, Yinka, as fondly called is also a member of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, (RTEAN) which was recently banned by the state government and a prominent member of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos state.
“It is categorically to state that, this is the period of electioneering, the public and state government should note that, COMTUA President, Prince Taofeek Adeyinka Aroyewun popularly known as YINKA should be held responsible for any unrest or attack on LASPGM Amuwo Odofin members, particularly Mile 2, Apapa/Oshodi expressway, because we have gathered with some evidence that he will lead clandestine attack on major grassroots mobilizers of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming days which the service has been paid”.
