Osun: Adeleke orders arrests, bans warring NURTW

Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered the police commissioner to immediately arrest all those involved in the killing of Oyeyemi Olalekan popularly known as ‘Emir.’

Olalekan, a popular thug in Osun, was reportedly shot dead amid leadership crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state.

He was accused of attempting to take over control of the parks from the current occupier, Wakili Nurudeen popularly known as Alowonle.

Olalekan, a member of the State Transport Disciplinary Committee appointed by the government, was said to have made several efforts to take over leadership of the union.

Sources confided in our Correspondent that Olalekan went to a meeting at Mayfair Motor Park, Ile-Ife, alongside his faction in an attempt to resolve a lingering feud with a rival group led by Alowonle, before some masked gunmen invaded the venue and shot him on the head.

The attack triggered widespread panic as members of both factions fled the scene.

In the chaotic aftermath, a vehicle carrying several of Olalekan’s associates crashed near the Obafemi Awolowo University Campus Gate while attempting to escape.

The killing has heightened tension across Osogbo, particularly around Olalekan’s base in the Asoje area.

His associates have blamed the Alowonle faction for the assassination, though law enforcement has not independently verified the claim.

The Osun State Transport Management System (OSTMS), in 2024, accused Olalekan of leading violent park invasion to take over leadership of the union.

Prior to the August 15 governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC), released a footage of Olalekan where he was opening the government house gate for his colleagues.

He had been arraigned on charges bordering on murder, terrorism, and cultism before a federal high court sitting in Osogbo, and he was granted bail.

It was gathered that the attempt to take over the park began again immediately after the reelection of governor Ademola Adeleke.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke directed immediate vacation of the motor parks by warring groups and the establishment of a park management system with immediate effect.

While calling for calm among the citizenry, the governor further directed security agencies to restore normalcy across the motor parks and ensure the maintenance of law and order across the state.

The governor, promised to issue an Executive Order for the establishment of a park management system to restore discipline and orderliness across motor parks in the state.

The governor charged the Commissioner of Police to act immediately to arrest all those involved. Law and order must be maintained. There will be no sacred cows as all culprits will be brought to book.

“We call on members of the public to remain calm. We will ensure restoration of peace in all the affected parks and areas. The security agencies are under instruction to ensure the sustainability of peace at all cost.

“We are reintroducing the Park Management System. I will soon issue an executive order to give effect to the new management system to manage parks and garages across the state,” Adeleke said.