Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A violent clash between rival transport unions in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Monday, August 24, 2026, has left no fewer than five persons injured and thrown the Idi-Araba and Itakudimo areas into chaos. The unrest, which forced residents and motorists to flee the scene, erupted following an alleged attack on the office of the National Association of Road Transport Owners, sparking a fierce confrontation that has heightened concerns over the escalating rivalry among transport unions in the state. The clash, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, saw youths armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons storming the NARTO office, throwing stones at the building and engaging in acts of violence that left several people nursing injuries.
According to eyewitness accounts, the situation escalated rapidly when some youths alighted from tricycles and launched an assault on the NARTO office, a development that sent shockwaves through the quiet neighbourhood. A resident, Mr Mubaraq Bello, who witnessed the incident, recounted the terrifying moments when the armed youths descended on the area. "We were at home when we suddenly saw some youths alight from tricycles armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons. They moved towards the NARTO office, with some allegedly throwing stones at the building," Bello said. The attack reportedly forced many residents to abandon their homes and businesses, while motorists were compelled to take alternative routes to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
A NARTO member, Abubakar Olatunbosun, alleged that members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, and the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria were responsible for the attack on their members. Olatunbosun claimed that the rival unions attacked NARTO members while they were on their way to the Police headquarters in Ilorin, adding that over 100 tricycles belonging to their members had been seized by the other unions. "We respect the law and will not take the law into our own hands because Kwara is known for peace. We appeal to the Kwara State government to intervene in this matter," Olatunbosun said. He also expressed concern over the safety of NARTO members, who he said had been subjected to relentless harassment and intimidation by the rival unions.
Victims of the clash also shared harrowing accounts of their ordeal. Abdulwasiu Jamiu alleged that members of the rival unions forcefully took away their tricycles and inflicted injuries on several of them. Another victim, Lukman Iyanda, who reportedly sustained a broken hand, said he was attacked at Itakudimo while operating his tricycle. "I was just doing my business when they came and attacked me. They broke my hand and took my tricycle," Iyanda lamented. The injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, while the police have yet to confirm the exact number of those wounded in the clash.
However, a member of RTEAN, who spoke on condition of anonymity, dismissed NARTO's claims, insisting that NARTO is an unregistered association and is not recognised by the government. The source suggested that the clash was a result of NARTO's alleged illegitimacy and its attempt to operate without proper authorisation. Efforts to reach representatives of NURTW, RTEAN, and TOAN for their reactions were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report, leaving the allegations made by NARTO members largely uncontested. The refusal of the rival unions to comment on the incident has only deepened the mystery surrounding the clash and raised questions about the true nature of the rivalry among the transport unions in Kwara State.
The Kwara State Government has yet to issue an official statement on the clash, but the Commissioner for Works and Transport has previously expressed concern over the escalating tensions among transport unions in the state. The government had earlier intervened in a dispute between NARTO and other transport unions over ticketing levies and operational permit charges, but the latest clash suggests that the underlying issues remain unresolved. The violence in Ilorin comes just days after a similar clash between transport unions in Ikire, Osun State, left five people dead and several others injured, underscoring the growing trend of violence among transport unions across the country.
As the people of Ilorin count their losses and the injured victims struggle to recover, the clash has once again highlighted the urgent need for government intervention to address the root causes of the rivalry among transport unions. The failure of the authorities to resolve the longstanding disputes has created a vacuum that has been filled by violence and intimidation, leaving innocent citizens to bear the brunt of the conflict. The Kwara State Government must act swiftly to investigate the incident, bring the perpetrators to justice, and broker a lasting peace among the warring unions before the situation spirals out of control. For now, the people of Idi-Araba and Itakudimo are left to grapple with the trauma of the violence, hoping that the authorities will take decisive action to restore peace and order to their communities.
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