Civil society groups and transport workers shut down major transit hubs across Osogbo on Monday morning, mounting coordinated protests against factional NURTW chairman Nurudeen Alowonle over alleged violence and safety threats.
​Demonstrators flooded strategic commercial spots, including Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Olaiya Junction, and Old Garage, blocking major roads and preventing commercial buses and tricycles from operating.
​Protesters accused Alowonle, who serves as a political appointee to Governor Ademola Adeleke of deploying armed thugs to intimidate rival transport operators and disrupting public peace across Osun State’s transport network.
​Speaking during the rally in Osogbo on Monday morning, Alhaji Fatai Oyegoke, factional Secretary of the Osun State NURTW, urged federal security authorities to intervene immediately to restore order to state motor parks.
​”We are calling on Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to immediately order the arrest of Nurudeen Alowonle. He has turned our transport hubs into battlegrounds, preventing law-abiding drivers from earning a living. We need urgent police protection to safeguard our lives and businesses.” Alhaji Fatai Oyegoke demanded.
​Civil rights activists joining the rally highlighted previous declarations by Osun State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, who had earlier listed Alowonle as a wanted suspect linked to illegal possession of firearms and violent unrest.
Transporters and CSOs demanded that the Nigeria Police Force execute existing warrants to arrest and prosecute Alowonle without political interference.
Protesters called on the Osun State Government to strip Alowonle of his official recognition and political appointments to restore neutrality to state motor parks. Protesters urged security agencies to station permanent anti-riot police details at critical parks, including Oke-Baale, Sadiat, and Ilesa Garage.
​By Monday afternoon, heavy deployments of police officers and state security personnel were dispatched to key junctions and motor parks across Osogbo to restore traffic flow and maintain law and order.
