Police arraign Baruwa, others, deny shooting NURTW members in Abuja

Policemen

The FCT Police Command on Monday described videos circulating on social media alleging police involvement in a shooting at the National Union of Road Transport Workers during a clash at the union’s headquarters in Garki II, Abuja, as false and misleading.

The command stated that its officers only intervened to restore order after receiving a distress call.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the Command received a report at about 7:00 a.m. on March 23, 2026, that about 300 individuals armed with cutlasses, bottles, bows and arrows had stormed the NURTW headquarters and were removing items from the premises.

She said the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Isyaku Sharu, led a response team to the scene, where preliminary investigations showed that the group attempted to enforce a court order without the presence of court sheriffs and other authorised officials.

According to her, the action degenerated into a physical confrontation when other NURTW members resisted the move, leading to one victim sustaining severe machete wounds to the neck.

“The FCT Police Command is aware of videos circulating on social media alleging that personnel of the Command shot at some members of the NURTW at their headquarters in Garki II, Abuja.

“The Command wishes to state that these are false and misleading claims aimed at rousing public sentiments. On 23rd of March 2026, at approximately 7:00 a.m., a distress call was received by the FCT Police Command reporting that about 300 individuals, armed with cutlasses, bottles, bows, and arrows, had stormed the NURTW headquarters along Sapele Street, Garki II, Abuja, and were removing items from the premises. Punch