Tension spread across Osogbo motor parks after NURTW leader Kazeem Oyewole was killed at Elelede Junction, prompting fear, shutdowns, and police monitoring.
Residents of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, were thrown into anxiety on Sunday following the killing of Kazeem Oyewole, a former unit chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The incident, which occurred around Elelede Junction, sparked Osogbo motor park tension, leading to heightened security concerns across several transport hubs in the city.
Oyewole, who previously served as a part-time chairman of the Aregbe Unit of the NURTW along the Osogbo–Gbongan Road between 2018 and 2022, was reportedly attacked in the afternoon under circumstances that remain unclear.
News of his death quickly spread, creating panic among commercial transport operators, traders, and commuters who rely heavily on the affected motor parks.
Eyewitness accounts gathered from the area indicated that a group of suspected hoodlums had earlier gathered around Elelede Junction.
According to residents, the individuals allegedly mounted an informal checkpoint where they demanded money from passersby, claiming the funds were meant for a forthcoming carnival.
While such activities initially appeared minor, the situation reportedly escalated unexpectedly.
A resident who observed events from a distance said the atmosphere suddenly changed when a motorcycle carrying two passengers arrived at the location.
The hoodlums allegedly stopped the motorcycle and forced the occupants to alight.
A confrontation reportedly followed, during which gunshots were heard, causing people in nearby shops and homes to flee for safety.
One of the victims was later identified as Kazeem Oyewole, while the other passenger reportedly escaped with injuries.
Following the killing, tension escalated further as individuals believed to be associates of the deceased were seen moving around major motor parks in Osogbo.
Their presence heightened fears of possible reprisals, worsening the Osogbo motor park tension and forcing many transport operators to suspend activities temporarily.
At Elelede Junction, commercial activities came to an abrupt halt. A shop owner in the area, identified simply as Basira, said businesses that had opened earlier in the day quickly shut their doors as fear spread.
“Once people heard what had happened, nobody wanted to take chances. Customers stopped coming, and most of us closed our shops immediately,” she said.
Basira added that NURTW members later arrived at the scene and confirmed the identity of the deceased as a former union leader in the Aregbe area.
As evening approached, the atmosphere around Old Garage and Aregbe motor parks remained tense. Many commuters avoided lingering in the area, choosing instead to return home early.
Observers also noted the presence of suspected hoodlums loitering near some of the parks, further worsening the Osogbo motor park tension and raising concerns about public safety.
Security operatives were later deployed to strategic locations within the metropolis to prevent the situation from escalating.
Police patrol vehicles were seen moving around key junctions, while officers monitored activities at major transport terminals.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the command was promptly alerted and responded swiftly.
“We received information about the incident at Orita Elelede in Osogbo and immediately deployed our men to the area. Unfortunately, one person was confirmed dead.
“He was identified as Kazeem, while investigation has commenced to determine what led to the incident and those responsible,” Ojelabi stated.
The police spokesperson further assured residents that security agencies were closely monitoring the situation across the state, particularly motor parks, to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
According to him, surveillance would continue until normalcy is fully restored.
Transport union sources described the killing as a major blow to the local NURTW structure, noting that internal tensions and external criminal activities have continued to threaten peace within motor parks.
They called on authorities to intensify security measures and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Residents, on their part, urged the government to address the growing influence of hoodlums around transport corridors, warning that unchecked activities could worsen insecurity in the state capital.
Many expressed concern that recurring violence linked to transport unions could disrupt economic activities and daily life.
As investigations continue, the killing of Kazeem Oyewole has left a cloud of uncertainty hanging over Osogbo’s transport sector.
For now, Osogbo motor park tension remains high, with commuters, traders, and transport workers hoping for swift police action and lasting peace.
Ireport247news
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