PTDA Crisis Claims Four Lives in Kaduna

NewsRescue

by Ibrahim Mohammad, Kaduna

About four persons were feared dead when two  factions of Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association PTDA Kaduna state chapter clashed over leadership crisis in the state.

According to reports, many people were also injured in the clashed which occurred today Wednesday at their secretarial located within Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company.

Eye witnesses told NewsRescue that trouble started around 7.30am when hoodlums who claimed to represent one of the factions shut down the secretariat to prevent the other group from gaining access.

The two factions were led by Comrade Nuhu Mohammad Intelligent who was a former chairman of the association and Comrade Gambo Tuge the immediate past chairman of the association.

The duo were all vying for same position which was the genesis of the crisis.

It was gathered that a petroleum tanker and two other cars were set ablaze before the arrival of the security agents.

Residents said gunshots were heard  during the clashed as each group wanted to occupy the office of the Chairman to take over control.

Malam Aminu Umar who is a tanker driver said “drivers threw rocks at each other, while others threw daggers as they chased their enemies.

” In the process four people died  with several undergoing treatments from various degrees of injuries,” he said.

All Banks and other business shops were shut down including  entrance gates to  KRPC premises.

Several people, particularly KRPC staff were stranded from either entering or leaving the premises as the crisis got out of hand.

Army Armored car arrived the scene around 9:30 am with two trucks full of angry looking, soldiers.

” When the soldiers arrived some of the thugs were seen been chased by soldiers ones caught, were clubbed with gun butts.

“Several were injured and a police van took the arrested suspects to the command headquarters for questioning.

” The leaders of the factions Gambo Tuge and Nuhu Mohammad Intelligent were among those taken away,” an eyewitness said.

The  State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Shehu Umar went  to the area in his convoy around 11am, but didn’t speak to the press and didn’t answer his phone.