By Bose Adelaja
Lagos Island is still reeling from fear and disquiet following the violence that erupted there on Monday, February 20, as two rival groups of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, battled for supremacy and control of the area.

This is as reports from residents of the embattled area have revealed that one of the warring factions had the backing of the Police, a situation believed to have fuelled the crisis. According to some residents,  the Police involvement was largely responsible for the high casualties recorded.

A resident, Lukmon Aujah, told Vanguard Metro he thought the Police presence was to arrest the crisis and maintain peace but the reverse was the case as the Police aided the escalation of the crisis by supporting one group with arms.

A source in the area alleged that a faction leader popularly called “Zego” has the backing of a top Police officer in the area who was said to be on his pay roll. “Recently he donated some cash and gift items ranging from Plasma TV and DSTV to the Division,” he said. The source also alleged that the officer recently received the sum of N200,000 and a cow from the faction leader.

However, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Jayeoba Idowu, debunked this, saying his men were trained personnel and will not stoop so low to compromise their professional integrity, adding that “a senior Police officer is in charge of the Division; he is a neutral person, and so cannot take sides”.

Efforts to reach the Royal father, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, proved abortive as his aides demanded a letter of introduction from Vanguard and a questionnaire before this reporter may be attended to.

As at the time of filing this report, relative normalcy has returned to the Island as there was a heavy presence of security operatives on the streets.