The Tajudeen Baruwa-led faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has taken back control of the union’s national secretariat in Abuja.

This happened early Monday after long court fights over who should lead the union. Baruwa’s group arrived at the building with supporters and moved in peacefully while police officers were present to keep things calm.

The takeover marks the end of months of tension between the two main groups in the union.

Baruwa said his faction acted based on two court judgments that named him the rightful national president. He explained that they had informed the police ahead of time and even sent copies of the court orders. According to him, the responses from security agencies were not very supportive, so they sent another notice a few days before the move. Baruwa stressed that they only wanted to resume their lawful duties and had no plan to cause trouble.

The faction led by Musiliu Akinsanya, better known as MC Oluomo, had been in charge of the secretariat until this week.

The leadership dispute has dragged on for a while, with both sides claiming to be the legitimate leaders. Court rulings have now favoured Baruwa, giving his group the legal backing to reclaim the office and start running union affairs again.

Police were on ground during the takeover to prevent any clash between the rival groups. Their presence helped make sure the process went smoothly without violence. The officers stood by as Baruwa’s supporters entered the building and took positions inside.

This intervention was important because past disagreements in the union have sometimes turned heated.

Baruwa spoke to journalists after the move and thanked his supporters for staying peaceful. He repeated that they are a law abiding union and only came to take back what the court said belongs to them. He also said they had tried to avoid this step but felt they had no other choice after waiting for so long. The faction now plans to settle down and focus on union activities.

This development brings some calm to the long leadership crisis in NURTW. With the secretariat back under Baruwa’s control, attention will now shift to how the union moves forward. Many members hope this ends the division and allows everyone to work together for the benefit of transport workers across the country.