There was tension in Ekiti State on Sunday as the news of a reprisal attack by suspected members of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria spread in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti. This is coming on the heels of fresh allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party that the All Progressives Congress had concluded plans to import thugs from Lagos.
But the APC said allegation was a figment of imagination of the PDP, urging the police to arrest and prosecute anyone caught fomenting trouble in the state. The residence and five vehicles belonging to a former state chairman of RTEAN, Mr. Rotimi Olabiwonu, were on Friday burnt by people yet to be identified. The arson took place during the protest that followed the Thursday’s murder of a former state chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Mr. Omolafe Aderiye.
Aderiye, a staunch supporter of the Governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, was considered as a rival to Olabiwonu, a loyalist of Governor Kayode Fayemi. The news of reprisal attack by the RTEAN members made motorists and commuters to avoid the Ajilosun area of the town. Police have beefed up security in some flash points in Ado-Ekiti including Ajilosun, Ijigbo, Old Garage, Fajuyi Park and Ojumose Junctions, when members of the RTEAN took over the place.
About 10 pick-up vans carrying anti-riot policemen and soldiers, were seen moving towards the side to quell the crisis, which a police source said was successful and timely. The fear of reprisal attack spread across the state capital like wild fire causing panic among residents including those going to churches. Low turn out was recorded in many churches on Sunday. The police frisked motorists while Okada riders and passengers has to walk through the check point.
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