From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna
Following the crisis in Petroleum Tankers Drivers Association, Kaduna State Chapter that claimed lives during a clash yesterday, immediate past chairman of the association, Comrade Gambo Tuge, former Chairman of the association, Comrade Nuhu Mohammed Intelligent and 34 others were arrested by the state police command.
Among the arrested suspects included the Vice Chairman of the association, Alhaji Abdullahi 63.
It could be recalled that there was serious free for all fight between the two factions of the group over leadership.
Peoples Daily gathered that the two factions were led by Comrade Nuhu Mohammad Intelligent and that of Comrade Gambo Tuge.
The duos were all vying for same chairmanship position which was the genesis of the crisis.
It was gathered that a petroleum tanker and two other cars were set ablaze at their secretarial located within Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company, KRPC before the arrival of the security agents.
Residents said gunshots were heard during the clash as each group wanted to occupy the office of the Chairman to take over control.
A police officer who pleaded for anonymity because he was not authorize to speak told Peoples Daily that leaders of the group were paraded alongside their supporters yesterday at the police headquarters.
” I was there when they were paraded before they were later charged to court. The CP gave the directive for them to be taken to court without wasting time. They were 36 in number I think,” he said.
Another tanker driver who witnessed what happened also confirmed that they have been charged to court before later taken to prison.
“They were charged to a court before taken to Kaduna prison. The trial will commence on 16 of this month as I was told,” he said.
Investigation also revealed that death toll for Wednesday’s clash increased as the number rise to above 10 persons.
Some of the dead were found with gunshot wounds according to sources.
Although the authority has not confirmed the number of people killed yet, but it was gathered that soldiers sent to the scene opened fire on the two factions.
Efforts to contact the state Command Public Relations Officer, SP Aminu Lawan failed as he didn’t answer his call.
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