Thugs disrupted the inauguration of the Bus Conductors Association of Nigeria (BCAN) on Thursday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Utako, Abuja. The attackers were reportedly linked to Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo. They stormed the venue armed with machetes, knives, bottles, and sticks.
The event had earlier featured the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande. The attackers arrived shortly after the minister left. Led by Segun Aluwaye, who claimed to represent Berger Park, they forced their way into the hall. They chased attendees out, damaged equipment such as cameras and chairs, and injured several participants.
Security personnel, including police officers and DSS operatives, were also attacked. Witnesses reported that attendees fled in different directions to escape the violence. BCAN Chairman, Prince Israel Ade Adeshola, described the incident as unfortunate.
“We are at the NUJ Secretariat today to inaugurate our association Bus Conductors Association of Nigeria (BCAN). In the cause of the event, some miscreants stormed the venue of the event with cutlasses, dager, knives and other dangerous weapons and chased all the dignitaries and invited guests out of the hall while they injured many of our members.
“They were wearing face caps bearing Oluomo pictures and destroyed many items”, SaharaReporters quoted him as saying.
He said the association’s goal is to address “One Chance” crimes in Abuja. He added that BCAN, an affiliate of National Union of Roads Transport Workers (NURTW), also aims to maintain a database of conductors. As of press time, no arrests had been confirmed. However, police vehicles were stationed at the NUJ Secretariat to prevent further violence. BCAN has pledged to seek legal action over the attack.
MC Oluomo has been a subject of controversy, especially due to his role as a political enforcer and his connections to the ruling party. He gained notoriety for thuggery and issuing threats to the Igbo community in Lagos during the 2023 elections, warning them to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay home. Despite his close ties with President Bola Tinubu, which some view as problematic, he has faced legal challenges and was recently stripped of his position as NURTW president by a court ruling. He however defied court orders and assumed office on Tuesday.
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