Ahead of today’s nationwide protests organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the police have rolled out special forces and tactical teams across the country to ensure the demonstrations remain peaceful and free from violence.
State police commands confirmed they are on high alert to prevent hoodlums or political agents from hijacking the rallies. The protests are going ahead as planned, despite rising tensions over insecurity, economic hardship and unresolved labour issues.
NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, said the congress would not back down, stressing that protests would take place in all states.
“We are going on with the protest across the country,” he said, warning that any attempt to disrupt the demonstrations could lead to a nationwide indefinite strike.
According to the NLC, intelligence reports suggest that some groups may attempt to infiltrate or violently disrupt the rallies. The union warned that harm to any worker or citizen would trigger a total shutdown of economic activities.
“This action is not just a procession. It is a collective expression of grief and a demand for the right to life and security,” the NLC said, adding that any attack on the protest would be met with escalation.
The protests are tied to broader concerns, including worsening insecurity, rising cost of living, unpaid allowances, deteriorating public services and unfulfilled agreements with the Federal Government. Labour leaders also cited repeated kidnappings, attacks on workers and the government’s slow response to security challenges.
The NLC directed its state chapters across the 36 states and the FCT to mobilise members for peaceful demonstrations, insisting the action is lawful and constitutionally protected. Workers, students, traders and the general public were urged to remain disciplined and united.
Several labour groups have pledged support for the protest. The Federal Workers Forum described it as a “national assignment” necessary for the country’s survival, citing poor governance, insecurity and unpaid wage arrears. Aviation unions also confirmed participation but assured that flight operations would not be disrupted, stressing that the action is a protest, not a strike.
Across the country, police commands said they had intensified security measures. Tactical teams, enhanced patrols, intelligence surveillance and, in some states, drone monitoring have been deployed to protect protesters and maintain order.
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Police authorities in states including Benue, Jigawa, Sokoto, Imo, Bayelsa, Kano, Gombe, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom and Kwara said they were engaging with labour leaders and had positioned officers at strategic locations to prevent violence.
The police reiterated their commitment to protecting citizens’ right to peaceful protest while ensuring that law and order are maintained before, during and after the demonstrations.
The nationwide protest, first announced after the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting on December 4, is aimed at drawing attention to what labour leaders describe as deepening national crises affecting security, the economy, education, healthcare and workers’ welfare.
