BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

IKEJA – Three persons were feared dead, yesterday, as factions of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW,  battled for control of  a motor park  at Mafoluku/Airport  Road area of Lagos State, leaving several others with severe injuries.

The clash, which grounded vehicular activities on the ever-busy Airport Road, leading to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, lasted for hours, as hoodlums from Mafoluku-Oshodi, stormed  7 and 8 Bus-Stop, on Airport Road, in a bid to take over the park and unleash terror.

Vanguard gathered that efforts by the invading hoodlums to take over the park sparked off violence, as they met stiff  resistance  which degenerated  to a free-for-all.

Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that the warring factions fought themselves  with dangerous weapons , while  several vehicle windscreens were  shattered.

A roadside mechanic, Jide Babalola, who spoke with Vanguard on the incident, said hoodlums from Mafoluku-Oshodi area, who were allegedly led by members of Odua Peoples Congress, OPC, stormed  the area  about  9 a.m. yesterday, in a bid to take over the park.

He said:  “They came this morning with dangerous weapons to take over the park at 7 and 8 Bus-Stop,  but the union there refused to relinquish it and fought back.

“We learnt that the people from Mafoluku-Oshodi, who attacked this park today have been asking for  a share of  proceeds from this park and they couldn’t get  it.

“I think that may have necessitated the   forceful takeover of the park,” he added.

One Charles, a motorcycle operator, said: “I saw several people with injuries while the fight was on and about three of them lying motionless in blood. But, it was the police that ended the fight.”

Lagos State Police Command Spokesman, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, said normalcy had been restored to the area.

He said: ” Policemen from Akinpelu, Mosafejo and Makinde  were drafted swiftly to the area and they have restored normalcy; the roads are free and people are going about their business peaceful.”

Jinadu , who could not confirm the number of casualties, said the case was under investigation.