The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has explained the circumstances surrounding the arrest and arraignment of Tajudeen Baruwa, dismissing claims that its operatives opened fire during unrest at the National Union of Road Transport Workers headquarters in Abuja yesterday.
In a statement, the command insisted that viral videos alleging a police shooting at the Garki II secretariat were false, stressing that officers only responded to a distress call and acted to restore order after violence broke out.
“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,” police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said.
“The command wishes to state that these are false and misleading claims aimed at rousing public sentiments.”
She explained that the incident began early on March 23 when hundreds of individuals stormed the union’s secretariat armed with dangerous weapons.
“On 23rd of March 2026, at approximately 7:00 a.m., a distress call was received… reporting that about 300 individuals, armed with cutlasses, bottles, bows, and arrows, had stormed the NURTW headquarters… and were removing items from the premises,” she stated.
According to her, a police team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations moved swiftly to the scene. “In a swift response, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Isyaku Sharu, led a response team to the scene,” she added.
Adeh noted that preliminary findings showed the group attempted to enforce a court order without proper legal backing.
“Upon arrival, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were attempting to enforce a court order on the premises without the presence of court sheriffs and other officials,” she said.
The situation, she added, escalated into violence when opposing members resisted.
“This action degenerated into a physical confrontation when other members of the NURTW attempted to resist them, leading to one victim being inflicted with severe machete wounds to the neck,” she said, adding that the injured victim was rescued while others received treatment.
Police confirmed that Baruwa and six others were arrested at the scene and subsequently charged in court, while normalcy has since been restored to the area.
