Pandemonium broke out in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Monday as members of rival transport unions clashed, leaving more than five persons injured and hospitalised.

The violence disrupted activities around the Idi-Araba and Itakudimo areas of the city.

Residents said the disturbance began when some youths arrived in tricycles armed with cutlasses and other weapons and moved towards the office of the National Association of Road Transport Owners. Stones were thrown at the building, and the situation quickly became tense as people fled the area.

A NARTO member, Abubakar Olatunbosun, accused members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria and the Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria of launching the attack.

He claimed that more than 100 tricycles belonging to NARTO members were seized and appealed for government intervention.

Two of the injured, Abdulwasiu Jamiu and Lukman Iyanda, said their tricycles were forcefully taken during the clash. The violence comes amid growing tension over the operation of tricycles and the activities of transport unions in the state.

The Kwara State Ministry of Transportation denied allegations of bias or preferential treatment, insisting it has maintained a neutral position. Commissioner Aliyu Korasabi said the dispute is still before a court, which has directed the parties to maintain the status quo, and urged the public to disregard unsubstantiated claims while the matter is being resolved.

Photo credit: Vanguard News