Protesters
NLC: Protests nationwide over hardships facing Nigerians
Protesters under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, stormed the streets of the 36 state capital and Abuja, the seat of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The NLC had slated February 27 and 28, Tuesday and Wednesday to protest nationawide over the hardships Nigerians are currently facing, especially soaring prices of food items and high transportation.
However, there appeared to be heavy presence of security personnel in various states of the federation as the protesters marched out.
At Ikeja under the bridge area of Lagos State, protesters gathered early morning and the NLC leadership were joined by some other Unions, such as the Nigerian Union of Teachers, (NUT), The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) among others.
The unions were expected to hold the rally moving from the convergence point in Ikeja to the State House of Assembly in Alausa.
This was the situation generally in the state and nationwide as worrkers across Nigeria embarked on protests over the economic hardship in the country exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies and devaluation of the Naira.
Plateau
In Plateau, workers were also in the streets as the state council of the NLC had concluded arrangements to join the protest.
Eugene Manji, the state NLC chairman, on Monday in Jos, said
the council held its state executive council meeting, and had concluded arrangements for the protest.
Mr Manji said all NLC affiliates had been briefed, and had been urged to fully mobilise their members for the protest.
The chairman assured that adequate security personnel would be mobilised to ensure that hoodlums did not hijack the protest.
According to him, the NLC had met with security agencies later on Monday, to fine-tune the arrangements.
Kogi
In Kogi, the NLC on Tuesday, the NLC organised protests held in major streets, and there was no incident.
According to Amari Gabriel, the NLC state chairman, ”We urge the Federal Government to do something to salvage the situation.”
Adamawa
In Adamawa, the police have deployed personnel at strategic positions to ensure the safety of lives and property ahead of the protest.
In a statement in Yola, the police in the state, Suleiman Nguroje, cautioned citizens against violent activities before, during and after the protest.
“The Command has deployed a high visibility police patrol across major areas, including government installations, private/public warehouses, hospitals, schools, markets, and residential areas, among others,” he said.
“The Command is committed towards safeguarding lives and properties during the nationwide protests expected to commence between 27th and 28th February 2024,” he stated.
He said the police in the state acknowledged that every citizen has the constitutional right to peaceful protest.
“We strongly and in clear terms advise that all processions should be conducted within the context of the law, as the Police will act in accordance with the rules of engagement to protect the rights and ensure that citizens rights were not violated,” he said.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Dankombo Morris, has resolved to ensure hitch-free conduct of the procession across the state.
He said in collaboration with sister security agencies in the state, the police will not hesitate to halt any individual or groups that may want to hide behind these peaceful protests to cause a breakdown of law and order.
He advised the good people of the state to continue to pursue their lawful businesses without any fear of threat or intimidation and report any suspicious character to the Police.
“The CP urged parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against all forms of violence and be law-abiding,” he stated.