The Nigeria Police Force in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has apprehended seven suspects following a violent clash at the headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Abuja.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
Adeh dismissed circulating videos on social media alleging that police officers opened fire on NURTW members, describing the claims as false and misleading.
She said the videos were deliberately circulated to incite public sentiment and misinform residents about the actual situation.
According to her, the command received a distress call at about 7:00 a.m. reporting that a large group of about 300 individuals had stormed the NURTW headquarters located in Garki.
The group, she said, was armed with dangerous weapons including cutlasses, bottles, bows and arrows, and was allegedly attempting to remove items from the premises.
“In a prompt response, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Isyaku Sharu, led a tactical team to the scene,” she said.
Preliminary investigations, according to Adeh, revealed that the suspects were attempting to enforce a court order without the presence of court sheriffs or other authorised officials.
She explained that the situation escalated when other members of the union resisted the action, resulting in a confrontation.
During the clash, one union member sustained a serious machete wound to the neck, while several others suffered varying degrees of injuries.
The police spokesperson said the injured victims were promptly evacuated to a nearby hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.
Adeh confirmed that the seven suspects had been charged to court, while calm has since been restored to the area.
She reiterated the commitment of the police command to maintaining law and order, assuring residents of continued efforts to safeguard lives and property across the FCT.
