Police arrest Baruwa, six others after taking over NURTW headquarters

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested Tajudeen Baruwa and six others following an incident at the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) headquarters in Garki II, Abuja.

In a press release issued on Monday, the Command dismissed circulating videos alleging that its personnel shot at NURTW members, describing the claims as false and misleading.

According to the police, the incident occurred at about 7:00 a.m. on March 23, 2026, after a distress call reported that about 300 individuals armed with cutlasses, bottles, bows, and arrows had stormed the NURTW headquarters along Sapele Street and were removing items from the premises.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Isyaku Sharu, was said to have led a response team to the scene. The statement added that preliminary findings showed that the group attempted to enforce a court order without the presence of court sheriffs and other officials, a move that triggered resistance from other union members.

The confrontation reportedly escalated into violence, leaving one person with severe machete wounds to the neck, while several others sustained injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Police said the suspects arrested at the scene include Sulaiman A. Musa, Nasiru Ibrahim, Alhaji Sadisu Musa, Dalha Suleiman, Abdullahi Garba, Saheed Fojebi, and Ibikunle T. Baruwa. They were subsequently charged before Magistrate Court 1, Wuse Zone 2, while normalcy has been restored in the area.

The Command reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order, urging residents to support security efforts by providing timely information.

Tribune Online reports that Baruwa had earlier claimed control of the NURTW national secretariat, citing court judgments in his favour.

Speaking to journalists, he maintained that the takeover was lawful and peaceful.

“Their body language has not been encouraging despite repeated assurances that we are not going back to foment trouble. We are a law-abiding union whose only mission is to reclaim what belongs to us,” he said.

“As you can see, we are taking over in a peaceful manner. It is not a forceful takeover but the execution of court orders. After about two years of waiting for compliance, we have resumed at our office without violence,” he added.