The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on members of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to carry out their duties with diligence and responsibility amid the ongoing nationwide protests. This appeal follows a report by Vanguard that the NPF has confirmed the deaths of seven individuals since the protests began on Thursday.
In a statement titled "Stop This Massacre," which was shared on the NLC's official X handle on Saturday, the union expressed its concern over the police's handling of the protests. The NLC warned that if the police continue to use excessive force against the protesters, the union will have no other option but to intervene in order to protect the citizens. The NLC emphasized that the federal government holds the power to bring the protests to a peaceful resolution.
The NLC's statement partially reads: "However, if the police, in self-righteousness, consider this advice as meddlesomeness and persist in their slaughter, they will be unwittingly creating a situation they were supposed to help avert in the first place. And we, as members of organized labour, will be left with no choice but the moral burden to act in protection of ordinary citizens. Finally, we do believe the ultimate solution lies with the government, the decisions it takes, and the compromises it is willing to make in the face of the genuine demands by the protesters."
The NLC's message underscores the union's commitment to ensuring the safety of citizens during the protests and its belief that the federal government must play a crucial role in addressing the grievances that have fueled the unrest. The union's warning to the police reflects growing concerns over the potential for further violence and the need for a responsible and measured approach to handling the protests.
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