Osun State held its breath on Sunday as gunshots shattered a so-called peace meeting in Ile-Ife, leaving Olalekan Oyeyemi — known across transport circles as ‘Emir’ and described as an associate of Governor Ademola Adeleke — dead and two cities on edge.
What began as talks to calm a bitter rift over control of motor parks ended in chaos, blood, and a sweeping government clampdown that has now banned the NURTW across the state.
Blood at Mayfair as peace talks collapse
The meeting, convened around Mayfair in Ife by minibus operators’ leader, Sobi, brought together factions loyal to Nurudeen Alowonle, the NURTW chairman appointed by Adeleke in 2022, and Emir’s own Korope drivers.
Sources said tempers flared when word spread that Adeleke planned to proscribe the union on Monday and name Emir as the new park chairman. The revelation ignited the Alowonle camp. Mobilisation turned to a melee, and Emir was shot dead on the spot.
Panic rippled outward. In the scramble, some of the mobilised men crashed near Obafemi Awolowo University, with one reportedly killed. Hours later, Emir’s supporters stormed his base in Balogun Agoro, Osogbo, protesting and raising the tension in the state capital.
Emir, who was facing trial for terrorism and was on a police wanted list over alleged murder, had been pushing for the park manager seat since Adeleke’s re-election.
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Governor shuts NURTW, imposes new park order
Reacting through spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke condemned the killing and ordered the arrest of those responsible.
In a decisive move, the governor proscribed all NURTW activities in Osun and announced the immediate return of the Park Management System, effectively sidelining the union.
By nightfall, security operatives were deployed across Ife and Osogbo. Commuters moved in whispers, parks stood half-empty, and the question on everyone’s lips was simple: who now controls the parks?
