IN a space of six months between June and November this year alone, the country lost no fewer than 30 lives to the violent activities of some lawless motor park operators under the cover of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). The pervasive air of terror unleashed at will by rival gangs, amid greater terror in the country by the Boko Haram group, is in part a commentary on the value the touts place on human lives and the capability of relevant law enforcement agencies to fully and comprehensively address challenges of insecurity in the land. Nonetheless, it is time the authorities stopped the lawlessness of the NURTW men, to save law-abiding citizens who are often victims of such violence, and to enthrone a regime of peace and order at motor parks.More often than not, the recurring mindless violence stems from the struggle for control of the motor parks by rival union groups who are motivated by the huge cash benefits from park fees and extortions by union officials daily. The temptation to crush any challenge to the constant flow of the non-taxable, easy money is high. Elections into union offices are akin to going to war. This should not be permitted.On June 6 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital alone, 20 deaths were reportedly recorded in a single incident of motor park terror, causing untold sorrow to many families whose relations were caught in the crossfire along the Iwo Road major park. That followed closely on the violence recorded a week earlier on May 30, with many seriously injured. Scores of vehicles were torched on both occasions.The wave of violence shifted to neighbouring Ogun State in October where at least three casualties were reported in the clash for control of Ifo town garage. By November 1, the Epe motor park in Ijebu-Ode boiled over to send the city into turmoil - the result of another union gang rivalry, which again cost three lives, two of them innocent passers-by. Two weeks later, tempers flared again in Sango Ota in a dawn mayhem that paralysed movement and all commercial activities, well into the day. At the end of the saga, four persons lay dead before the police rallied to restore normalcy.By statistics, Lagos has no clean record on this matter because the mega city has had its fair share of destruction, maiming and deaths similar to these recent clashes especially at the notorious Oshodi parks. That sector seems to be the biggest around, as enormous cash is raised for union officials at the parks.Unfortunately, the activities of the touts and officials or backers cannot be divorced from their hobnobbing with politicians and some police officers who give cover, and who fail to diligently prosecute for murder and breach of public peace. A governor and a former police commissioner in Oyo State were for instance openly accused of supporting the activities of an influential NURTW factional leader. A rival union leader lost his life in a gruesome manner in the power-play. Such bestiality is against norms and values in civilised climes and stands condemned.There may be some decent and focused leaders in the union but so far, the image of the NURTW has been uncomplimentary. A union whose members regularly operate like organised thugs against the common good of the society, and against acceptable trade unionism ethos should be called to order. NURTW's numerical strength should never be a deterrent to decent behaviour by the membership.Unionism having come a long way in the country, its aim should primarily be for the advancement of the welfare of members, and not to promote anti-social behaviours. Union leaders ought therefore to curb the ills identified or associated with their members. The exhibited characteristics of touting, extortion, violence and gangster-like activities should not be identified with a serious union.Passengers of commercial vehicles have a right to be transported safely to their destinations as a binding contract. Two, the parks are not killing fields for residents. Three, elections into union offices, or any office, should not be a life and death affair. The leaders have the obligation to cooperate with law enforcement agents to rid their union of bad eggs.Police should fully assume their interventionist role to maintain peace at the parks and to prevent outbreak of violence, through intelligence units. States and local councils also have onerous task to ensure that law and order is maintained in their domains. They should stop being complicit in drivers' unions affair, while erring unionists should promptly and diligently be prosecuted.
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