NLC to Police : Go after bandits, not peaceful protesters

NLC to Police : Go after bandits, not peaceful protesters

On Saturday, the leadership of organised labour called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to cease what it termed the “massacre” of citizens participating in nationwide protests against hunger.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Joe Ajaero, urged President Bola Tinubu to address the current crisis and respond to the demands of the protesting populace. Ajaero emphasized that the path to a lasting solution lies in the government engaging with protest leaders and negotiating sincerely, rather than resorting to threats from police and military forces.

Ajaero questioned the professionalism of the police under the leadership of Kayode Egbetokun, holding them accountable for the violence against protesters. He urged the police to focus their efforts on combatting bandits wreaking havoc across the country instead of targeting peaceful demonstrators.

“Reports indicate over 40 casualties in just two days of handling the EndHunger protests nationwide. This represents a massacre, evidenced by reports and video clips, and calls into question the professionalism of our security personnel,” Ajaero stated.

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He highlighted the disparity in police response across different states, citing the brutal actions in Kaduna under Commissioner of Police Audu Ali Dabigi, where a protester was fatally shot, and contrasting it with the more restrained and effective crowd management by Edo State Commissioner of Police Funsho Adegboroye.

Ajaero condemned the violent actions of police in Asokoro, Abuja, under Compol Bennett Igweh, where protesters were tear-gassed despite peaceful conduct. He argued that violence from police only incites more violence and questioned the effectiveness of their training and experience.

The NLC president demanded accountability for officers involved in the violence and appropriate disciplinary actions against them and their commanders. He also called for compensation for the families of the victims and adequate treatment and rehabilitation for the injured.

Commending the Nigeria Bar Association for its vigilance, Ajaero urged the immediate and unconditional release of all detained protesters. He stressed that police should never use live ammunition in managing protests and expressed hope for improved crowd control mechanisms in the future.

Ajaero concluded by asserting that the ultimate solution rests with the government, urging it to negotiate in good faith with protest leaders. He warned that continued police brutality could force organized labor to take action to protect ordinary citizens.

“The government must make compromises in response to genuine demands. Time is critical, and the use of sophistry or threats by officials or security forces is counterproductive. We are all Nigerians, after all,” Ajaero said.

NLC to Police : Go after bandits, not peaceful protesters