By Peter Onyekachukwu 
…..As Transport Unions Accuse Police of Backing Illegal Dues Collectors In Delta
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Two frontline transport unions, the Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN) and the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), have accused operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State of allegedly aiding an unregistered association to obstruct their collection of statutory check-off dues.
At a joint press briefing held at the NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, leaders of both unions alleged that officers across several local government areas have continued to harass, arrest and intimidate their members while preventing them from carrying out legally approved union duties.
Speaking for both unions, the Deputy National President of MOUN, Comrade Julius Bobi, and the Deputy State Chairman of TOAN, Comrade Famous Ogbe Foghola, said the alleged interference has become a threat to industrial peace and a violation of the Trade Unions Act.
According to them, MOUN and TOAN are fully registered unions recognized by law, with affiliation to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) respectively. They stressed that only registered unions have the legal mandate to collect check-off dues from workers.
The unions accused the police of allegedly collaborating with the Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association Delta State (COMTOA), which they described as an unregistered group illegally using the national Coat of Arms to forcefully collect levies.
Comrade Bobi said several union officials had been arrested while discharging lawful duties, with some cases only resolved through NLC intervention. “The state government has no constitutional authority to assign check-off dues to any union. That power lies solely with the Federal Government through the Minister of Labour,” he stated.
He added that COMTOA’s alleged use of national symbols to enforce illegal dues amounted to “a criminal act and direct affront to the Constitution.”
TOAN’s Deputy Chairman, Comrade Foghola, warned that the situation could escalate into a wider crisis if the Delta State Government and police hierarchy fail to act. He alleged that some local government chairmen benefiting from the “illegal collections” were using police officers to intimidate and arrest MOUN and TOAN members.
The unions, therefore, appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene immediately to restore order and protect their members from further harassment.
They urged their members to remain calm and avoid confrontations, assuring them that the unions would continue to defend their rights. They also appreciated Governor Oborevwori for recognizing their operations and pledged continued support for his administration.
Reacting to the allegations, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, said the command was not aware of any harassment by officers. He advised the unions to submit a formal petition if they have evidence of misconduct.
“If they have issues with any faction, they should put their complaints in writing to the Commissioner of Police. But whenever revenue collection leads to a breakdown of law and order, the police must respond,” he said.