By Uche Amunike
Some Nigerians have expressed their dissatisfaction at the arrest of two leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State, Abdulazeez Adekunle Lawal, popularly called Kunle Poly and Mustapha Adekunle also known as Sego, by the Nigerian Police.
Kunle Poly, who holds the position of Chairman, Lagos Island B section was arrested by the Police Rapid Response Squad (RRS), alongside Sego, who is the State Treasurer.
This happened when some police operatives stormed a meeting of chieftains and stakeholders of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to point accusing fingers on the two young men and claiming that they are the principles suspects behind what they called the constant clashing in the Idumota, Martins, Balogun and Kosoko areas of the Lagos Island.
They were led by the Commander, Olayinka Egbeyemi.
In the said clashes that took place in different parts of Lagos Island violence crippled commercial activities and left at least one person dead. As it stands, the two suspects, Kunle Poly and Sego have been transferred to the Zone 11 Zonal Headquarters of the Command in Onikan.
Nigerians have sent their responses to the official Facebook page of the Rapid Response Squad to express their dissatisfaction over Kunle Poly/Sego’s arrest.
Below, are some of their reactions:
Onuoha Sylva said: ‘It is a jamboree arrest. A funny arrest. When the former Area A commander, Mr Monday Agbonika, though a DCP now, went to flush them out of Lagos Island, he was removed immediately by the power above. RRS is just making a mockery of arrest when we all know their families and fathers. God Almighty will rescue us from their hands one day. Amen.’
Olusoju Faduda on his part, opined: ‘Story story, they will be released soon, I mean very soon with just a call from the top. These thugs have overrun and overpowered the system in Lagos, they make millions daily with no records of meaningful impact on the economy. We need a government that will flush them out to allow Lagosians to breathe.’
As for Ken Chidozie, his words were: ‘We love deceiving ourselves in this country and this is just for the optics. The ruling party in Lagos will soon order the police to release them because they are partners.’
Nanya Ofodu seemingly out of experience, wasn’t impressed with the seeming gallantry shown by the Nigerian police by Kunle Poly/Sego’s arrest. His post: ‘Nothing will come out of it. One of these Lagos Island thugs broke into my house and stole my belongings in broad daylight. When I had him arrested, who came to arrange his release? Men of the Nigeria Police Force from Lion Building. They will release these thugs to continue wreaking havoc on the citizenry. They do not even charge them to court.’
From the above posts sent to the RRS Facebook page by these Nigerians shortly after Kunle Poly/Sego’s arrest, it was obvious that they had no confidence in the Police Force as they harped on the fact that such previous arrests did not lead to prosecution.
They have continued to accuse the Lagos State government of tolerating the excesses of NURTW leaders as factions have engaged in violent clashes that have brought about destruction of properties and countless deaths in the state.
