Tanker drivers leadership tussle claim 4 in Kaduna

From Femi Oyelola & Mohammed Ibrahim, Kaduna

The lingering crisis of Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association (PTDA), Kaduna state chapter, yesterday reached its peak when four persons were alleged to have been killed when two factions of the association clashed at their secretariat located within Kaduna Refinery and patrol-chemical Company in the state.

According to eye witness, Malam Aminu Umar, who is a tanker driver said trouble started around 7.30am when hoodlums who claimed they are representing one of the factions of the group came to shut down the secretariat so as to prevent the other group from gaining access to the secretariat.

The other party in very short time, arrived at the scene and it turned to fight for all where dangerous weapons were said to have been used.

Peoples Daily gathered that a petroleum tanker and two cars were set ablaze before the arrival of the security agents.

Some residents said they heard gunshots from the secretariat and that people were seen running helter skelter to save their lives.

It was learnt that drivers from the two aggrieved factions threw rocks at each other while others drew daggers and chased their enemies within the premises.

“They fought on, as if it was some bizarre game with knifes, petrol, clubs, stones and teeth, with the police serving as unwilling referees. At a point they even attempted to take over the police station, but the police men shot into the to dispatch them ” he said.

Reports from inside the premises where the crisis occurred showed that all banks and business outlets were hurriedly shut down as the entrance gate of KRPC was locked, which led to many people stranded as the factions’ clashed, ” when we got to the venue we heard gunshots and people were seen running so I find a place to hide myself. In fact, the whole place was in chaos,” he said.

He said several were injured while a police van went away with arrested suspects. It was also gathered that Gambo Tuge and Comrade Nuhu Mohammad, the two factional leaders were among the arrested.

Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Shehu Umar was said to have visited the venue around 11am but couldn’t but could not disclose his mission to the press.

Contacted, the Army Public Relations Officer of One Mechanized Division, Colonel Yusuf Abdul said he was yet to receive full details of the incidence, but promised to contact his operational officer at the venue.