Pandemonium in Ilorin as tricyclists clash with transport union

Scores of persons have been arrested by policemen in Kwara State over the crisis that broke out between commercial tricyclists and members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, R-T-E-A-N in Ilorin, the state capital.

The tricyclists and the commercial vehicle drivers had engaged each other in a free-for-all in the Okolowo area of the Ilorin metropolis on Thursday, wherein it was learnt that dangerous weapons were freely used by the transporters during the fracas that broke out over a minor accident involving a tricycle and a Mitsubishi vehicle.

The crisis later extended to Oloje, Alore, and Omoda areas of the Ilorin metropolis with the rioters smashing the windshields and rear lights of some vehicles.

Confirming the development in a statement, the state commissioner for police, CP TUESDAY ASSAYOMO, who said the suspects will be charged to court after a thorough investigation of the crisis, advised the leaders of all the transport unions in the state to call their members to order, vowing never to allow any person or group of persons to jeopardize the peace currently in existence in Kwara state.