Reported by: Puis Althea | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A wave of violent protests swept through motor parks across Osun State on Monday, July 20, 2026, as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and civil society groups took to the streets to demand the removal of the union's factional chairman, Nurudeen Alowonle. The demonstrations, which disrupted commercial activities and left passengers stranded, were triggered by a series of politically motivated killings in Osogbo, including the tragic death of a toddler who succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during an attack last Wednesday.
The protest, which began as early as 7:30 a.m., quickly spread across major motor parks in Osogbo, the state capital. Demonstrators, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Osun is not safe under Alowonle’s leadership,” “Adeleke save souls of Osun people,” and “Let Alowonle face justice,” marched through Old Garage, Orisunbare, Ola-Iya, Aregbe, MDS, and other areas. They passed a vote of no confidence in Alowonle's leadership, accusing him of becoming a major security threat whose activities have disrupted the transportation sector and endangered passenger safety.
Addressing journalists during the protest, the factional Secretary of the NURTW, Alhaji Fatai Oyegoke, alleged that Alowonle and his associate, Sikiru Oyeniyi (alias Ado Igona), have spearheaded attacks over the past five days, leading to the killing of Adelodun Olamilekan Lateef and several others. He further claimed that Alowonle is in possession of arms and ammunition, making it impossible for transport workers to safely conduct their business. “We are living in fear,” Oyegoke stated, urging the police and other security agencies to secure the parks and protect transport workers.
The protest degenerated into a violent clash when the faction led by Alowonle confronted the demonstrators at the Old Garage Motor Park. Gunshots were heard near the Stadium Motor Park in Osogbo, and some drivers allegedly attempted to take over the Ilesa Motor Park. Police operatives and Amotekun Corps personnel deployed to the area fired tear gas to disperse the drivers and restore order. The Osun State Police Command confirmed the violent confrontation, stating that officers responded immediately after receiving distress calls and used minimal force to disperse the protesters.
In a related development, the police arrested the Director of Operations of the Amotekun Corps, Joseph Olagunju, in possession of police uniforms, axes, and cutlasses. The Nation newspaper reported that the Amotekun operations chief was allegedly providing security for some wanted political thugs when he was arrested. The arrest has added a new dimension to the crisis, raising questions about the involvement of state security agencies in the ongoing political violence.
The violence prompted the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State chapter, to suspend the activities of all transport unions in public motor parks across the state with immediate effect. The ALGON Vice Chairman, Lanre Balogun, announced the suspension, citing the worsening insecurity, recurring violence, and clashes linked to leadership disputes within the NURTW. He called on the Nigeria Police Force to take over motor parks and garages in the 30 local government areas and the Ife East Area Office to safeguard lives and property. Balogun alleged that the recent violent incidents, including the killing of a toddler and the shooting of an elderly man receiving medical treatment, were linked to the factional NURTW chairman, Nurudeen Alowonle.
The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, condemned the disruption of public peace and directed security agencies to arrest those responsible. In a statement, the governor warned that if the disorderly conduct continues, his administration may be forced to revert to the Park Management System across Osun motor parks. The Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Gotan, assured residents that security agencies would carry out a thorough investigation into the incident and that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
The protests and the subsequent violence have left passengers stranded and commercial activities paralysed across the state. The crisis has also exposed deep-seated tensions within the NURTW and the broader political landscape in Osun State, with the governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026, looming large. As the police and other security agencies work to restore normalcy, the demand for justice for the victims and the call for the arrest of those responsible for the killings continue to resonate across the state.
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