The Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police Command has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC to postpone its planned protest on the nation’s capital over security concerns.
News reports that the FCT chapter of the NLC and TUC had scheduled a peaceful solidarity protest on Tuesday in support of the Joint Union Action Committee, JUAC.
The unions announced this in a joint statement signed by Mr Benson Upah, General Secretary of the NLC, and Mr Nuhu Toro, Secretary General of the TUC, in Abuja.
The solidarity protest is in support of the strike by the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA workers, led by JUAC, over unpaid salaries and other benefits.
News reports that the FCT workers have been in a face-off with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike over the strike.
The planned solidarity protest is to further draw the attention of the government to the demands of the workers.
However, a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh said intelligence reports “indicate plans by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria and other non-state actors to infiltrate and hijack the protest for purposes inimical to public peace and security”.
Josephine noted that in the overriding interest of public safety, the command “respectfully appeals to the organizers of the planned protest to consider rescheduling the activity to a later date and time.
“This measure is aimed to forestall any breakdown of law and order, while also ensuring that the rights of other residents to safety, freedom of movement, and the conduct of lawful daily activities are not infringed upon.
“The Command assures residents of the Federal Capital Territory of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property and urges all citizens to continue to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the collective effort to maintain peace and security”.