Court Rulings, Police Action and Internal Strife Mark NURTW Crisis as MC Oluomo Regains Secretariat After Baruwa’s Arrest!

March 24, 2026 3 Min Read

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan, Editor‑in‑Chief | Journalist at Sele Media Africa

In a dramatic escalation of the longstanding leadership crisis within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Nigerian security forces intervened in Abuja this week, resulting in the arrest of a factional leader and the subsequent retaking of the union’s national secretariat by Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo. The turbulence underscores deep fractures within one of Nigeria’s most influential transport labour unions, with implications for union governance, law enforcement neutrality, and political influence.

Background: Bitter Leadership Dispute Intensifies

The NURTW has been mired in internal leadership disputes since 2024, pitting supporters of MC Oluomo — the Lagos State chapter’s former chairman and a controversial figure in Nigerian public life — against those aligned with Tajudeen Baruwa, a former national president whose leadership has been affirmed by multiple court judgments. The conflict reached a new peak on Monday, March 23, 2026, when Baruwa’s faction forcefully entered the union’s national secretariat in Garki, Abuja, asserting legal backing and attempting to enforce favourable court orders without authorised court officials present.

According to the FCT Police Command, Baruwa and several associates — armed with cutlasses, bottles, bows, and arrows — removed items from the headquarters and sought to dismantle the existing leadership structure. Police intervened amid rising tensions, arresting Baruwa alongside six other suspects for what authorities described as an unlawful execution of court directives.

Security Forces’ Role and Allegations of Bias

While both soldiers and police were reported to have been present during the incident, official statements have emphasised that the police — not soldiers — acted in response to a distress call reporting a breach of peace at the NURTW secretariat. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, refuted social media claims alleging that officers opened fire on union members during the confrontation, labelling such reports as “false and misleading”.

Critically, some local media and civil society commentators have accused the Nigerian Police Force of exhibiting bias in arresting Baruwa despite court rulings affirming his leadership position. Legal advocates for Baruwa argued that the police were obligated to facilitate enforcement of the court judgments rather than detain the factional leader, raising fresh questions about institutional impartiality in politically charged disputes.

MC Oluomo’s Return to the Secretariat

Less than 24 hours after Baruwa’s arrest, MC Oluomo and his allies reclaimed control of the NURTW secretariat on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Reports indicate that Oluomo’s faction began assessing the premises and restoring operational normalcy. A statement attributed to him reaffirmed his position as the national president of the union, despite the contested leadership claims and ongoing legal battles.

In media comments, Oluomo reiterated that his claim to the presidency remains valid pending the resolution of ongoing appeals and cautioned members against actions that could disrupt public order. His stance reflects long‑running tensions between union governance structures and formal judicial processes, and highlights the complexities facing Nigeria’s labour federations when internal leadership disputes intersect with law enforcement and the judiciary.

Wider Context and Implications

The NURTW’s internal crisis is emblematic of broader challenges within Nigerian organised labour movements, where political influence, judicial interpretation, and enforcement by state security apparatus often collide. With elections approaching and public scrutiny on state institutions intensifying, the dispute could have repercussions beyond the union’s membership, influencing perceptions of institutional fairness and the rule of law.

As of this writing, both factions remain entrenched in their positions, and legal representatives for Baruwa have signalled potential court actions challenging the manner of his arrest and subsequent developments. The Nigeria Police Force, for its part, maintains that its actions were in the interest of public safety and order, emphasising its commitment to upholding the law amid civil conflict.

Sources:

Premium Times — Police arrest seven over NURTW clash in Abuja as Baruwa unseats MC Oluomo
Vanguard Nigeria — Police arrest Baruwa after taking over NURTW secretariat in Abuja
The Cable — Police arrest Baruwa, six suspects over NURTW secretariat takeover
The Guild NG — MC Oluomo reclaims NURTW secretariat after Baruwa’s arrest
The Guardian Nigeria — I remain NURTW National President – MC Oluomo