NLC Protest: Police Force deployed to protect protesters

Security has been increased around the National Assembly complex in Abuja as a result of the ongoing protest that the Nigeria Labour Congress is organized in support of the Academic Staff Union of Universities. Personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Security Service, and the Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps are on duty there.

Workers from different states of the Federation started the protest on Tuesday, urging the federal government to give in to ASUU's demands so that the academic union could reopen Nigerian colleges that have been shuttered for more than five months.

Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, and others are past ASUU Presidents.

NLC President Ayuba Wabba, AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, former lawmaker Senator Shehu Sani, ASUU President Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, and ASUU Vice President Professor Biodun Ogunyemi were among those who led the demonstration in Abuja on Wednesday.

Members of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies led the way to the National Assembly to provide sufficient security for people and property.

According to PUNCH, a Nigerian Police Force officer who talked to their correspondent under the condition of anonymity, said that they were deployed to protect protesters in light of recent security threats by non-state actors to conduct huge attacks on key locations within the Federal Capital Territory.

He said, “We were only deployed here to protect lives and properties. It is no longer news that there are reported threats of impending attacks on the FCT. So, we’re here to make sure everyone is safe.”

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh, who spoke to our correspondent, said the operatives of the NPF were at the National Assembly to protect the protesters.

Adeh said, “Our officers are there to protect protesters and other citizens. There is no cause for alarm.”

Source