By Ola Ajayi
THE Oyo State Chairman of the National Union of road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Akinsola a.k.a Tokyo who was declared wanted by the State Police Command in connection with last Friday’s murder of two guards of his deputy, Alhaji Lateef Salako has been arrested.

He was arrested in the roof of a house he had been using as his hideout since he was declared wanted by the police. His arrest attracted wild jubilation in some parts of the city.

Also arrested with him were 15 members of the union who were alleged to have been involved in the murder of the two guards.

He was conveyed to the Headquarters of the State Police Command, in an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) marked NPF 120 yesterday in handcuffs.

When he was brought to the police command yesterday, scores of fully armed anti-riot policemen led by the Assistant Commissioner (Opertions), Mr. Shola David closely led him into the office of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Baba Adisa Bolanta.

When he got to the office of the CP, Tokyo was pleading with the police boss to let him off the hook.

He said, “Please, don’t be annoyed that I did not heed the call. It is the work of the devil. I beg you in the name of God, you will not make mistake in the course of your service. See my hands. They are bruised”.

When asked if his case would not be swept under the carpet like the previous ones, Bolanta said, “We arrested him in the roof of a house where he was hiding. If he had shown up when we invited him, it would have been a different thing. But, now, I am investigating him in connection with double murder. Nobody can send emissary to me to release him. Anybody found culpable in the murder of the two guards will face the wrath of the law.”

Tokyo and his deputy had been fighting for the chairmanship seat of the union in the state. Tokyo, according to a source had been in the position since 1983 and each time, any other aspirant tries to contest the position of chairmanship, it had always resulted in bloodshed.

He was incarcerated during the reign of the former Governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja but the late Ibadan popular politician, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu did everything to get him released. He listed his release as part of the conditions that could make Ladoja escape impeachment. But as soon as Akala assumed office, he effected his release.