The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Borno State chapter, Comrade Yusuf Inuwa, has accused the State Police Commissioner, Mohammed Yusuf, of preventing members from embarking on peaceful protests in Maiduguri, the state capital.
Inuwa disclosed this while briefing journalists at his office on Tuesday morning.
He said after all arrangements were made for the peaceful protests over the economic hardships, he received a distress call from the police chief that his attention was needed at the Police Headquarters in Maiduguri.
According to him, while he was at the Police Headquarters, the CP informed him that NLC should not lead the protests, considering the peculiar and fragile security situation in the state.
“I addressed you this morning to inform you that NLC has been prevented from embarking on the nationwide peaceful protests in Maiduguri by the CP.
“It would interest you to know that, after all arrangements were made for the peaceful protests over the economic hardships, I received a distress call from the Police Commissioner that my attention was needed at the Police Headquarters in Maiduguri.
“While I was at the Police Headquarters, the CP informed me that NLC should not lead the protests, considering the peculiar and fragile security situation in the state.
“I therefore immediately summoned an emergency meeting with all State Executive Members (SEC) of all unions and affiliates, we discussed extensively, and we came to the conclusion that for peace to reign, we should address the Press and let the whole world know that we are prevented from embarking on even a kilometer street protest.
Similarly, the Secretary of SSANU (Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities) UNIMAID Branch, Comrade Samaila Sadiq, voiced dissatisfaction with the police command’s decision to halt the protest, asserting that it is their civil right to engage in peaceful demonstrations.
Sadiq emphasized that their objective is to urge the government to address the soaring cost of living and the neglect of civil servants’ welfare, especially within the education sector.
