We Raised Alarm About NURTW But Police Failed To listen – NLC Demands Release Of Detained Leaders
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has denounced the violence that broke out at the NURTW National Secretariat, which resulted in the loss of life and property.
The Nigerian Labour Congress described the tragedy as very sad and wholly preventable, but accused the Nigeria Police Force for the terrible events fully, noting that their inaction and unjustified meddling in the internal affairs of the Union caused everything.
The NLC began a statement by acting President Comrade Kabiru A. S. Minjibir by saying, “In August, we raised alarm regarding the actions of the police targeting the legitimate leadership of the Union, and the hidden motives behind wresting control for the benefit of a select few who invoked the name of the President of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We pleaded with the Police leadership to review their conduct and bring it into compliance with the laws and global norms that regulate labor relations.
Unfortunately, the police continued to assist the illegal occupation of the Union’s national headquarters instead of heeding their request, according to the NLC, in flagrant breach of long-standing legal and labor relations norms. “While the area was sealed off by the Police, the democratically chosen leadership of the Union was forcibly removed.”
“We emphasized the threat that this illegality posed to the peace and the harm that it would do to our democratic traditions. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Congress on August 31, 2023, prominently included the matter on its agenda. The NEC members overwhelmingly denounced the police activities, which served as our second motivation for the productive 2-Day Warning Strike that took place countrywide on the fifth and sixth of this month.
According to the NLC, despite their warnings, the Police continued their unauthorized intervention, giving those pushing themselves on the Union cover. “We had meetings with the Police leadership and came to an agreement on a plan for peace to protect people and property. The roadmap’s lack of implementation and the disregard for our concerns are depressing.
The body of the Nigerian Labor unions argued that the sad tragedy could have been avoided if the police had followed its recommendations and warnings. “Lives may have been saved, assets protected, and injuries prevented. We’re puzzled as to how such an occurrence could happen with the police there unless there are hidden motives.
The NLC expressed further alarm at the Police’s handling of the situation in a statement titled: “The Bloodshed At NURTW National Secretariat: We Urged for Caution but It Was Not Heard.”
It highlighted that its inquiries point to undue favoritism on the part of the State in maintaining peace. “We are alarmed to learn that the democratically chosen Union leaders are being held in detention while the other parties are being quietly let go. In disputes of this type, justice requires equitable treatment.
“We urgently request that the police authorities undertake an impartial inquiry into the violence while also immediately releasing the democratically elected Union leaders from custody. At this crucial time, our country cannot afford to entertain any appearance of partiality or impunity. Let’s avoid taking any steps that could be interpreted as favoring criminality over legality, which would exacerbate an already precarious position.
The NLC warned that disrespecting democratic rights and norms “inevitably leads to such regrettable tragedies, which could have been averted through firm commitment to democratic principles,” holding the State and the Police responsible for the fatalities and destructions.
However, in order to stop the issue from getting worse, it urged the Police to follow and adhere to the previously established plan. Those in positions of trust with the public must use caution, and those in charge of defending our laws must avoid appearing to be leading an attack on them.
