Nationwide strike looms as Nigerian Labour Congress condemns police brutality

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a strong warning to the Nigerian government, signaling the possibility of a nationwide protest in response to the violent repression of a peaceful protest by members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).

The incident took place at Unity Fountain in Abuja on Thursday, where the police attacked demonstrators who were demanding the release of their withheld salaries.

The NLC expressed outrage and contempt towards the Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, for deploying armed tanks, assault dogs, and police personnel in battle gear to disrupt the peaceful protest. In a statement titled “government is courting a major national protest,” the NLC highlighted that such actions by the police are a violation of the 1999 constitution (as amended), as well as international conventions and charters that guarantee freedom of association and speech.

The Labour Union firmly emphasized that Nigeria is not a police state and warned that attempting to intimidate legally protesting workers would be met with fierce resistance. The NLC called out the police for their unprofessional and disgusting behavior, stating that officers like Commissioner Igweh should be leading a new generation of officers away from colonial traditions of policing, rather than perpetuating violence against peaceful citizens.

The NLC demanded an immediate apology from the police to the members of NASU and SSANU who were violated during the protest. Additionally, they called for the prompt payment of the withheld salaries, highlighting that the government’s failure to do so not only undermines the tranquility in the university education environment but also violates the constitutional principle of non-discrimination.

If the government continues to ignore the NLC’s calls for justice and fairness, a major national industrial protest is imminent. The NLC, which played a pivotal role in the fight for democracy in Nigeria, vowed to protect and defend the democratic rights of workers and citizens against any attempts to undermine them.

The incident at Unity Fountain serves as a stark reminder that the government and police must prioritize the well-being and rights of its citizens, rather than resorting to violence and repression.