From Nweke Nweke, Lagos
The peace and tranquility of the people living in Ikorodu local government
are of Lagos State and Ogujo in Ogun State are currently being threatened
following the alleged invasion and constant attacks on drivers conveying
finished steel products by some youths under the cover of United Iron Rod
and Steel Drivers Association of Nigeria
According to one Charles Okpoko and Ogbonna Obodo, members of Iron Rod and
Steel Drivers Association who complained bitterly on their alleged attacks
and robbing of their belongings by their rival association, they said
attack and robbing them of their property has posses great dangers and
infringement on their fundamental rights.
It would be recalled that Iron Rod and Steel Drivers Association of Nigeria
was duly registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), on June 3,
2016 while United Iron Rod and Steel Drivers Association of Nigeria was
also registered with CAC on September 13, 2016 with the same aims and
objective.
Upon the registration of the rival association to Iron Rod and Steel
Drivers Association of Nigeria, it was authoritatively gathered that the
new association came out with an action of trying to takeover those they
met on ground, through forcing drivers who refused to register with them to
buy their ticket.
Speaking when contacted, Iron Rod and Steel Drivers Association of Nigeria
national chairman, Mr. Innocent Nwachukwu described the alleged actions of
the accused touts working for United Iron Rod and Steel Drivers Association
of Nigeria on his members as a dirty script written by one Augustine Otti
against his members.
Mr. Nwachukwu however called on the law enforcement agents to do any
anything possible in protecting his members from the hands of the hoodlums
working for their rival group.
Reacting, Mr. Kazeem Salawu, Lagos State Chairman of United Iron Rod and
Steel Drivers Association of Nigeria, said they are operating under the law
of the land. He however condemned the attacks on the members of their rival association even as he promised to replace all the damaged property of the affected drivers.
Addressing the parties in his office, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO in charge of Ikorodu police station, Mr. Justine Umar advised the warring parties to always toe the part of peace, warning that anyone who formant trouble will be made to face full weight of law.
