The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has refuted claims circulating on social media that its officers opened fire during a clash involving members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Garki II, Abuja.
According to the Command, its personnel were only deployed to restore calm following a distress call reporting unrest at the union’s headquarters in the early hours of Monday.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, authorities said the incident began around 7:00 a.m. on March 23, 2026, when a large group—estimated at about 300 individuals and reportedly armed with dangerous weapons—stormed the premises and began removing property.
She explained that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Isyaku Sharu, led officers to the scene, where initial findings indicated that the group was attempting to enforce a court ruling without the involvement of authorised court officials.
The situation escalated when other union members resisted the move, resulting in a violent confrontation. One individual suffered serious machete injuries to the neck and was rescued by police, while several others with varying injuries were taken to hospital for treatment.
The police spokesperson stressed that allegations of officers shooting at union members were unfounded and intended to mislead the public.
Seven suspects identified as Sulaiman A. Musa, Nasiru Ibrahim, Alhaji Sadisu Musa, Dalha Suleiman, Abdullahi Garba, Saheed Fojebi, and Ibikunle T. Baruwa were arrested at the scene. They have since been arraigned before Magistrate Court 1 in Wuse Zone 2.
The Command added that normalcy has been restored in the area following the intervention.