By OLA AJAYI, Ibadan

Rival factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in Oyo State yesterday ruptured the peace in the state as they engaged each other in a shoot out at Dugbe-Inalende, Ibadan causing stampede in the ever busy Dugbe market.

It was the convoy of the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and his Imo state counterpart, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, that  dislodged the hoodlums.

According to a release issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Oyo State, Dr. Festus Adedayo, the hoodlums had been having a field day in the area shooting guns and wielding machetes before the arrival of the governors.

The governors, who had just left the burial ceremony of the mother of Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), were on their way to the Rochas Okorocha Foundation when they heard sporadic shots from the hoodlums and stampede from the adjoining market in the area. Initial information collated suggested that the hoodlums were members of rival factions of the road transport union.

The governors’ convoy, according to the release, then came to the aid of the fleeing traders to dislodge the hoodlums before reinforcement was called from the police headquarters and the state crime-fighting outfit, Operation Burst.

At the time of filing this report, the number of casualties could not be ascertained.

But, Saturday Vanguard gathered from an unconfirmed source that some people were killed while the crisis lasted.

Also, confirming the incident, the Caretaker Chairman of the Ibadan North West Local Government, Mr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, said the hoodlums were destroying things before they were dislodged.

He said, “Immediately we heard, we sent security agents there. We are just leaving there now. I suspect a foul play. The incident confirmed my anxiety that some people were planning to forment trouble as from April because of the election”.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olabisi Ilobanafor said five suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.