The Nigeria Police Force has mobilized special tactical teams and security personnel across the country ahead of the Nigeria Labour Congress nationwide protest scheduled for Wednesday, with state commands confirming their readiness to ensure peaceful demonstrations while preventing criminal elements from hijacking the rallies.
In separate interviews with Punch on Tuesday, police spokespersons from multiple states outlined their deployment strategies and engagement with labour leaders to maintain order during what the NLC has termed a “National Day of Protest and Mourning” over escalating insecurity and unresolved labour issues.
The NLC has vowed to proceed with the protests despite concerns about potential disruptions. When asked if the union had mobilized its affiliate unions for the demonstrations, NLC spokesperson Benson Upah stated firmly, “We are going on with the protest across the country.”
Upah warned that any interference with the protests could trigger a nationwide indefinite strike, revealing that the union had received intelligence suggesting that certain agencies and political actors might attempt to infiltrate or violently disrupt the demonstrations.
“Our action tomorrow is not just a mere procession; it is a collective act of grief, a roar of despair from the oppressed, and a democratic demand for the fundamental right to life and security,” the NLC statement read.
The union issued a stern warning that violence against protesters would have severe consequences. “Any attack on our protest will be an attack on the very engine of Nigeria. The consequence will be an escalation and a total shutdown,” the labour congress cautioned, adding that harming even a single worker or citizen would spark “an immediate and indefinite shutdown across all sectors of the economy.”
The protest stems from broader labour grievances including unresolved agreements with the Federal Government, rising cost of living, and the impact of insecurity on workers’ productivity, safety and livelihoods. The NLC has highlighted the deaths of numerous members, teachers, farmers, miners and other artisans amid what it describes as escalating insecurity and government inaction.
In a notice issued to all state councils on December 10, following its National Executive Committee meeting held on December 4, the labour centre condemned the activities of bandits and kidnappers across the country and criticized the government’s failure to adequately address the situation.
Police commands across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have confirmed their preparedness to secure the protests. In Benue State, command spokesperson Udeme Edet stated, “The command has deployed tactical teams all around major areas of the state to ensure that hoodlums do not hijack the planned protest by the labour union. I can assure you that the whole state is peaceful now, but our officers are on alert in case of any eventuality.”
The Jigawa State Police Command outlined its proactive security measures, with Police Public Relations Officer Shi’isu Adam saying, “We’ve deployed adequate personnel to monitor and secure the protest routes.”
In Sokoto State, police spokesman Ahmed Rufai disclosed that the command has engaged with labour leaders and placed personnel on alert. “We held a meeting with their leadership today at the headquarters, and we have received their assurance that the protest will be orderly. The command has also put its men on alert in case of any uncertainty,” he said.
The Imo State police spokesman, Henry Okoye, announced the deployment of “maximum security” to prevent any breach. “The Imo State police command has deployed maximum security for members of the NLC during their protest to ensure there is no breach. There is nothing to worry about. The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, has deployed watertight security to prevent any form of security breach and breakdown of law and order,” Okoye stated.
In Bayelsa State, Police Public Relations Officer Musa Mohammed revealed that the command would employ advanced surveillance technology. “The CP has directed that tactical units will be deployed to ensure that hoodlums do not hijack the protest. The drone units will also be deployed to assist officers on the ground,” Mohammed noted.
The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, held a meeting with state labour officials on Tuesday to ensure peaceful demonstrations. Command spokesman Abdullahi Haruna told Punch, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, has engaged the leadership of the NLC in the state today with a view to ensuring that the event is peaceful.” He added that the command has implemented necessary measures to prevent anyone from using the protest to cause trouble in the state.
In Gombe State, Police Public Relations Officer Buhari Abdullahi confirmed comprehensive security arrangements. “All necessary arrangements have been made to ensure full security for the rally, as strategic security deployments have been carried out. The Commissioner of Police has assured the NLC of full security coverage for a smooth procession,” he said.
The Bauchi State police command emphasized the constitutional rights of protesters, with PPRO Habib Nafiu noting that the NLC comprises educated, law-abiding citizens. “The Nigeria Labour Congress is a formal organisation. Its members are citizens of this country, and they have the right to protest peacefully,” Nafiu stated.
In Akwa Ibom State, command spokesman Timfon John said, “The command is currently talking with the NLC leadership to ensure no breach of peace is recorded in Akwa Ibom State. The police have made enough deployments throughout the state. These measures include the deployment of adequate personnel to strategic locations, enhanced patrols, and intelligence-led surveillance.”
The Kwara State Police Command has also positioned officers strategically across the state capital. PPRO Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi assured residents of adequate security, stating, “The Kwara State Police Command has stationed its officers and men in strategic areas of the state capital to ensure the maintenance of law and order and to guard against the protest being hijacked by criminal elements.”
She further disclosed that the command would hold a security summit on Wednesday titled “Taking Back Our Communities: The Police–Public Partnership Against Violent Crimes,” aimed at strengthening collaboration between security agencies and the public in combating crime.
The nationwide mobilization reflects the heightened tensions surrounding the protests, with both the NLC and police forces emphasizing their commitment to peaceful demonstrations while preparing for potential security challenges. The protests are expected to take place simultaneously across all states and the Federal Capital Territory.
