A commercial bus driver was killed in Igogo Ekiti, Moba Local government, Ekiti State, during a clash among members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the town.
The slain driver was said to have had a quarrel with a fellow driver over ticketing dues, and was allegedly beaten with a charm by the other driver. He died on the spot.
Witnesses told our correspondent that supporters of the two drivers used dangerous weapons like cutlasses, cudgels and bottles in the fight and disrupted commercial activities.
A witness said, “One of the drivers was said to have obtained a ticket in the morning and declined another payment when he was asked.
His refusal degenerated into a quarrel between him and another driver.
“As they started exchanging blows, one brought out a substance suspected to be a charm and hit the other one. The latter fell immediately and became unconscious. Efforts to revive him proved abortive.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, Caleb Ikechukwu, who confirmed the development said, “We heard that it was a clash between two drivers and one of them was said to have hit the deceased with a substance suspected to be a charm and he died.
“Due to the fact that a life was lost, it escalated, but the Commissioner of Police, Mr Asuquo Amba, quickly drafted more men to the area and normalcy has been restored.”
Ikechukwu said the principal suspect had been arrested, while investigation into the case has commenced.