The Nigeria Police Force has deployed special forces and tactical teams nationwide ahead of today’s planned protests by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over worsening insecurity and labour concerns. State police commands confirmed their readiness to prevent violence and stop miscreants or political hirelings from hijacking the demonstrations.
The NLC insisted it would proceed with the protest, describing it as a National Day of Protest and Mourning. Its spokesperson, Benson Upah, said, “We are going on with the protest across the country,” warning that any attempt to disrupt the rallies could trigger a nationwide indefinite strike.
In a statement, the union said intelligence reports indicated plans by “unscrupulous agencies and desperate political hirelings” to infiltrate the protests. “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 NLC warned, urging security agencies to protect citizens’ constitutional rights.