Protest Archives - Citybuzz News

Oriire School Attack: Protest Erupts in Ibadan as NUT Begins Indefinite Strike

June 1, 2026 by admin

Tension heightened in Oyo State on Monday as members of the Take-It-Back Movement took to the streets of Ibadan to protest the deteriorating security situation and the prolonged captivity of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area. The protest came barely 24 hours after the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, directed public primary and secondary school teachers across the state to embark on an indefinite strike over the abduction of their colleagues and pupils. The demonstrators converged on Mokola Roundabout, one of the busiest junctions in Ibadan, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs while demanding urgent action from government and security agencies to secure the release of the victims and curb rising cases of kidnapping in the state. Some of the placards displayed during the protest bore inscriptions such as, “Security for all, not for a few,” “Government must end kidnapping in Oyo State,” “We demand safer roads and communities,” “Protect farmers, traders and students,” and “Peace, security and justice.” Speaking during the demonstration, one of the protesters said residents were becoming increasingly frustrated by the persistent insecurity across the country. “Let them know that the people of Nigeria are not at peace. Let them know that the people of Oyo State are not smiling. Let them know that the Nigerian people are fed up with insecurity,” the protester declared. The protest followed growing public outrage over the abduction of pupils, students and teachers during attacks on schools and surrounding communities in Ahoro-Esiele area of Oriire Local Government Area. The victims were reportedly kidnapped after armed men invaded the schools and nearby communities, triggering widespread fear among residents, parents and education stakeholders. Family members of the abductees have repeatedly appealed to the Oyo State Government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and ensure the safe return of their loved ones. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, in a statement issued on Sunday by its Oyo State Chairman, Hassan A. Fatai, and Secretary, Comrade Salami Olukayode, directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in the state to withdraw their services beginning Monday, June 1, 2026, until further notice. The union said the directive became necessary due to the continued captivity of the abducted teachers and pupils, as well as growing fears over the safety of teachers and learners across the state. According to the statement, the prolonged detention of the victims has created anxiety among teachers, discouraged parents from sending their children to school and heightened tension in affected communities. The NUT stated that the industrial action was intended to draw urgent attention to the need for government authorities and security agencies to intensify efforts toward securing the release of the abductees without delay. “The union urges all teachers to comply fully with this directive, remain law-abiding and stay safe in their respective homes throughout the period of the strike,” the statement read in part. The union also reaffirmed its solidarity with the abducted teachers, pupils and their families, assuring members that engagements with relevant authorities would continue until the victims regain their freedom.

Protest Erupts at Federal High Court over Opposition Parties’ Deregistration

May 4, 2026 by admin

Tension escalated on Monday at the Federal High Court as dozens of protesters took to the streets, warning President Bola Tinubu against what they described as interference in the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission. The protesters, under the aegis of Concerned Northern Nigeria Stakeholders, marched to the entrance of the court premises in Wuse, Abuja, chanting solidarity songs and waving placards with inscriptions such as “No Opposition, No Election,” “Tinubu, Let Our Democracy Breathe,” and “AGF Must Be Neutral.” Security operatives, including officers of the Department of State Services, barricaded the entrance and prevented the demonstrators from gaining access to the court complex. Addressing journalists, the leader of the group, Banki Sharrif, raised alarm over what he described as growing threats to judicial independence and democratic institutions, accusing the Federal Government of undermining due process. He said, “We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately cease all forms of interference, overt or covert, with the judiciary. Courts must never be reduced to instruments of political engineering. The moment justice is manipulated, the nation itself is placed on trial. “A government that seeks to weaken opposition betrays a lack of confidence in its own legitimacy. Democracy thrives on competition. Suppressing it is not strength; it is fear. “Elections without credible opposition are nothing more than staged exercises. Democracy demands fairness, openness, and equal opportunity for all political actors.” The demonstrators warned that democracy cannot function under “intimidation, coercion, or calculated manipulation,” insisting that civic space and opposition remain central to a functioning republic. They further argued that attempts to weaken opposition parties reflect “a lack of confidence” in governance, reiterating that “democracy thrives on competition.” On the role of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Sharrif stressed the need for neutrality, cautioning against the politicisation of the office. “The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation must remain firmly anchored in neutrality and the rule of law. It must not be weaponised for political ends. “Again, we are alarmed by moves suggesting the use of technicalities and administrative manoeuvring to weaken or delist political parties, particularly those with strong roots in Northern Nigeria. “If the courts lend legitimacy to such actions without strict adherence to due process and substantive justice, it will be seen as judicial endorsement of political exclusion. That path is dangerous, risks disenfranchisement, deepens division, and could trigger widespread unrest,” Sharrif warned. The protesters also warned that public trust in the courts could erode if the judiciary is perceived as an extension of the executive. “Where the judiciary is perceived as an extension of the Executive, citizens inevitably lose faith in lawful remedies. When courts fail, the streets become the courtroom. No nation survives such a breakdown without serious consequences. “We are closely monitoring every action of this administration and every pronouncement of the courts.” Monday’s protest comes amid heightened political tension over a suit backed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, seeking the deregistration of several political parties. In court filings before the Federal High Court, the AGF supported a case instituted by some former lawmakers asking the court to compel INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress and four others. He argued that the continued existence of the affected parties violates provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and undermines electoral integrity, adding that the electoral body would be acting in breach of its constitutional duties if it retains parties that allegedly fail to meet legal requirements. Other parties listed in the suit include the Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party, and the Zenith Labour Party. The AGF, in an affidavit filed through a legal team led by Prof. Joshua Olatoke (SAN), maintained that as the chief law officer of the federation, he is duty-bound to uphold the Constitution and ensure compliance with the Electoral Act and other laws regulating political parties.

Why I Attended N’Assembly Protest with my Son — Amaechi

February 10, 2026 by admin

A former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has explained why he attended the “Occupy the National Assembly” protest alongside his son. Speaking with reporters on Tuesday in Abuja, Amaechi said he came with his son, who is a medical doctor, as a precaution in case the demonstration turned violent and participants sustained injuries. The former Rivers State governor also said his decision reflected his belief that leaders should be physically present during major protests and stand with the people, rather than watch from a distance. He called on Nigerians to rise up, urging opposition political parties to take to the streets to protest the Senate’s decision. Amaechi further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of opposing the electronic transmission of election results out of fear of losing elections. “I believe that the opposition parties should come out—PDP, ADC, everybody should be out—to protest against the attempt of one party,” he said. “If we come out and they say the opposition has hijacked the protest, what is the APC doing? Are they not hijacking? What are they afraid of? I thought they said they have 31 governors. Tinubu is not Jonathan. The only way a good politician will know he has done well is by the people,” Amaechi added. He added that opposition parties and civil society organisations would continue the protests, even if Senate President Godswill Akpabio and President Bola Tinubu look the other way. Amaechi also juxtaposed current living conditions with what obtained during the Muhammadu Buhari administration he served in. He said, “It is worse now than it was then. In Buhari’s time, at least, even though we were planning to remove the subsidy, we had better plans for citizens.” The former minister further alleged that corruption has spiked under Tinubu. Asked whether he believed Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election, Amaechi said: “Let’s wait and see”, adding that it would be impossible for the incumbent to win the poll. “The will of the people must prevail,” he said. The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Monday, joined the protesters, lending his voice to calls for electoral transparency and credibility. The protest comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding the amendment of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly over whether the Independent National Electoral Commission should be mandated to transmit results electronically in real time from polling units. While many Nigerians have called on lawmakers to make real-time electronic transmission compulsory, the Senate have argued that the provision should remain discretionary, citing logistical and infrastructural concerns. The Senate also issued explanations claiming it did not scrap electronic transmission entirely, while protesters insist that removing “real-time electronic transmission” creates loopholes that could be exploited.

Labour Claims Plot to Sabotage Protest, Threatens Indefinite Strike

December 16, 2025 by admin

The Nigeria Labour Congress, on Tuesday, warned that any attempt to interfere with Wednesday’s National Day of Protest and mourning could spark a nationwide indefinite strike. Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, said in a statement that the union had received intelligence suggesting that unscrupulous agencies and desperate political hirelings might try to infiltrate or violently disrupt the demonstrations. He added that harming even a single worker or citizen would trigger an immediate and indefinite shutdown across all sectors of the economy. “Our action tomorrow is not just a mere procession; it is a collective act of grief, a roar of despair from the oppressed, and a democratic demand for the fundamental right to life and security,” the statement read. The union highlighted the deaths of countless members, teachers, farmers, miners, and other artisans amid escalating insecurity and government inaction. The union urged all workers, students, traders, and citizens to remain disciplined, peaceful, and united. “Solidarity is our shield,” it said. The NLC also called on the police, who have been informed of the protest, to protect citizens’ democratic right to assemble and express their grievances. The protest, first announced following the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting on December 4, 2025, is intended as a response to a wide range of national crises. The NEC had expressed serious concern over the country’s worsening security situation, including the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State on 17 November 2025, during which two staff members were killed. The union condemned the withdrawal of security personnel prior to the attack and called for urgent government intervention. According to the World Bank’s Nigeria Development Update, released in October 2025, approximately 139 million Nigerians, about 61–62 per cent of the population, are living in poverty, a sharp increase from previous years. The NEC criticised the Federal Government’s use of divide-and-rule tactics, which undermine union unity and stall negotiations. It urged the government to implement a fair and uniform remuneration framework for all university workers while recognising the unique needs of different professional groups. The ongoing strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions, which began on 14 November 2025, was also reviewed. The NLC expressed concern over the withdrawal of nurses from the industrial action and warned that, should negotiations fail, it and its affiliates would join the strike in full solidarity. The NEC also directed the revival of the Labour–Civil Society Coalition, originally formed under Adams Oshiomhole, to strengthen collaboration between labour organisations and civil society in addressing national issues. On political matters, the NLC criticised the Labour Party, stating that it had been hijacked by mercantile interests through the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee. The union resolved to withdraw from these committees and focus on building coalitions with parties whose ideologies align with working-class principles, while continuing to engage with the Labour Party where possible. The NLC warned those plotting to disrupt tomorrow’s protest to desist immediately. Any attack on peaceful protesters will be treated as a direct declaration of war on the entire Nigerian working class and its allies. The union emphasised that if even a single worker, comrade, or citizen is harmed during the protest, the NLC will declare an immediate, comprehensive, and indefinite nationwide strike, shutting down all production, services, and sectors of the national economy. “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 union stated.

NANS Denies Involvement in #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest

October 16, 2025 by admin

The National Association of Nigerian Students, on Thursday, distanced itself from a planned protest reportedly being organised by activist Omoyele Sowore and his associates, warning Nigerian students nationwide not to be deceived or used by “selfish and politically motivated individuals.” Its President, Olushola Oladoja, who addressed journalists at the Federal Cooperative College in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, described the reports linking the association to the proposed #FreeNnamdiKanu protest scheduled for October 20th as false, misleading, and mischievous. Oladoja, who spoke alongside zonal and campus leaders of the student body, said the national leadership convened the press briefing to “set the record straight” and protect the integrity of NANS from being dragged into political controversies. “We wish to state categorically and unequivocally that NANS is not, and will not be, part of any protest organised or influenced by Sowore or any other politically motivated group or individual. The entire claim is false, mischievous, and designed to drag the name of our noble Association into political controversies that do not align with our mandate as a student body.” He explained that while the association remains committed to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian students, it would not allow its platform to be hijacked by politicians or activists pursuing personal agendas. “NANS believes in rule of law, due process, and peaceful engagement, and will not participate in any agitation relating to the ongoing legal proceedings involving the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. “The matter concerning Kanu is a legal issue before a competent court of law. It would therefore be inappropriate, unlawful, and irresponsible for NANS to mobilise any protest on a matter before the judiciary”, Oladoja said. He accused Sowore and his allies of using NANS’ name to gain credibility for their “politically driven agenda,” emphasising that the students’ body would remain focused on education, youth development, peace, and national unity, not partisan politics. The NANS president, therefore, appealed to parents and guardians across Nigeria to warn their children and wards against joining any protest “sponsored by greedy and self-serving politicians. “These individuals exploit the energy and vulnerability of young people for personal gain while abandoning them when crises erupt,” he said, urging security agencies and the media to disregard any claim that NANS is planning to mobilise for the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest. He reiterated that there is no faction within NANS, stressing that the body remains “one united and legitimate national students’ movement” with a clearly defined structure and leadership. Oladoja also addressed the ongoing face-off between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government, following the lecturers’ two-week warning strike. “We have done our research and seen the problem. We therefore urge ASUU and the Federal Government to reconvene within 72 hours and resolve this dispute. Nigerian students cannot continue to suffer for issues they did not create. “NANS remains a united, law-abiding, and patriotic association committed to the peace, progress, and prosperity of Nigeria. We will continue to champion the interests of students through constructive engagement, not chaos or politically induced protests,” he stated. Historically, NANS has been a powerful force in the nation’s socio-political discourse, known for organising massive protests that have successfully pressured the government on key issues. Given Nigeria’s vast youth population, its endorsement or opposition carries significant weight. It is against this backdrop of its influential history that NANS’s decision to publicly distance itself from the planned #FreeNnamdiKanu protest. The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra is a sensitive legal and political matter. By explicitly rejecting any association with the protest, NANS aims to protect its institutional integrity and avoid being drawn into a contentious controversy that falls outside its core mandate.

BREAKING: Students Protest in Oyo, Rally Support for Dangote Refinery

October 7, 2025 by admin

Some members of the National Association of Oduduwa Students, the Coalition of Yoruba Students, and the Yoruba Movement are currently staging a peaceful protest in solidarity with the Dangote Refinery, amid its ongoing faceoff with oil unions, PENGASSAN, NUPENG, and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria. The protesters, who converged on Tuesday at Iwo Road Roundabout, end of Ibadan/Lagos expressway, Ibadan in Oyo State, were chanting different songs to show their solidarity. They are marching through major routes, waving placards with inscriptions such as, “Don’t Kill Dangote Refinery,” “#StopsabotagingfuelinNigwria“#EndPENGASSAN,” #EndDAPPMAN,” “#DangoteRefineryIsANationalAsset,” “#StopSabotage, among others.” Wearing matching shirts emblazoned with, “Don’t Kill Dangote Refinery,” the students said the protest is aimed at drawing government attention to what they describe as a “coordinated attempt by vested interests” to frustrate the operations of the refinery, Nigeria’s biggest industrial investment and Africa’s largest single-train refinery. The NAOS President, Olalere Adetunji, called on President Bola Tinubu and relevant government agencies to intervene urgently. “We want to use this period to appeal to the Federal Government to protect the refinery and ensure that labour and marketers’ actions do not derail Nigeria’s move toward fuel self-sufficiency.” Security operatives, including the police and Federal Road Safety Corps, are on ground to maintain order as the protest continues.

Tinubu’s Wife’s N1bn Donation Stirs Protest Among IDPs In Benue

July 30, 2025 by admin

Some Internally Displaced Persons from various camps on Wednesday thronged the Makurdi/Laafia Federal Highway and protested the non-sharing of the N1 billion donation made by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of President Bola Tinubu. Senator Tinubu, who paid a condolence visit to the state on Tuesday, donated N1 billion for the victims of armed herder attacks. The displaced persons stormed the Makurdi/Laafia federal highway, which disrupted the free flow of vehicular movement. One of the protesters, who simply identified himself as Teeser, accused the state government of not giving out several donations it has received from spirited individuals. He said, “Several people, both private and public-spirited people, have been donating for the upkeep of displaced persons, but nothing has been received from the state government. “The wife of the president, Senator Tinubu yesterday (Tuesday) donated N1 billion to displaced persons and the state government is yet to reach out to us. The Information Officer of the State Emergency and Management Agency, Tema Ager, dismissed the claim by the IDPs, saying that no IDP in the state is being starved. He said that the government was constantly providing for their needs. He said, “The major issue that triggered this protest is politics. Simply because the first lady visited yesterday and announced that she donated N1 billion. You know the process of getting this money; sometimes, they just announce it. It’s when they go back that they process it. “What she announced yesterday cannot happen today, and so the money is for resettlements, not for food, and some of them are protesting that they were given money before, and we have not shared it with them. “That money is not meant to be shared with them. The protest was politically motivated. They were supposed to be given food last week, but the event was overtaken by events. “As we speak now, food is being distributed to them, but they protest that the road was politically motivated. The last time food was distributed to the IDPs was in May this year, but currently, food is being distributed to the IDPs across the state. Reacting to the protest, the Technical Adviser on Media, Communication and Publicity to the state governor, Solomon Iorpev, said that the protest was politically motivated. “If not so, the wife of president Tinubu, senator Oluremi just gave the cheque on Tuesday which is yet to be cleared and cashed for the purpose it was meant. Today, IDPs have blocked the Makurdi – Lafia- Abuja high way demanding for the money.” Iorpev said that Governor Alia is keen on ensuring the welfare of the vulnerable groups in the state, and he will be the last person to think of diverting money meant for the less privileged and urged politicians to close ranks to move the state forward. Efforts to get a reaction from the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, were not successful as calls put to her were unanswered. Punch

FCTA Workers Begin Three-Day Protest Monday

June 26, 2025 by admin

The Joint Union Action Committee of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, has declared a three-day protest beginning Monday, June 30 to Wednesday, July 2, 2025, over what it describes as the “blatant refusal” of the FCT Minister to address longstanding issues affecting staff welfare and rights. President of JUAC, Rifkatu Iortyer, in a statement titled “PROTEST!!! PROTEST!!! PROTEST!!!” on Thursday, directed all members and affiliate unions across the FCTA to mobilise and gather at the Minister’s Main Gate in Area 11, Garki, by 7:00 am each day of the protest. According to her, “The protest is against the blatant refusal of the FCT Minister to address… salient issues affecting staff.” She listed grievances to include the non-promotion of staff since 2023, unresolved salary administration problems, and unpaid entitlements. The union is also demanding structural changes within the administration, improved staff welfare, and an end to deductions they consider illegal. “The Chairman FCT Civil Service Commission must go. We say no to overseeing directors’ position,” Iortyer declared, Other demands include, “Domestication of IPPIS, inaccessibility of the salary portal to salary desk officers, no overhead since December 2024, stop our NHF deduction, non-payment of five months wage awards/health workers hazard allowance arrears, no training and retraining of FCTA staff, out-of-school FCTA primary school pupils, and non-payment of AEPB enforcement squad. All members of staff are advised to gather at the Minister’s main gate Area 11 to drive home their demands,” the statement added.

(Pictures) June 12 Protest: Security Operatives Barricade N’Assembly Gate

June 12, 2025 by admin

Security operatives on Thursday morning barricaded the main gate of the National Assembly complex in Abuja to prevent protesters from accessing the venue. The protest, organised by the Take It Back Movement and several civil society groups, is part of nationwide demonstrations marking June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day. Organisers had said the protest is aimed at spotlighting what they describe as “two years of misrule, hardship, and insecurity” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The organisers had moved the protest to the national assembly, where President Bola Tinubu is expected to address a joint session of the National Assembly as part of the Democracy Day celebrations. Speaking on the eve of the protest, the National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the decision to converge at the National Assembly did not change the focus of the protest. “That we earlier said the protest would hold at Eagle Square doesn’t foreclose the fact that Nigerians cannot organise themselves at the National Assembly to protest the two years of misrule under Tinubu. “The unprecedented hardship and insecurity we have experienced under his government are alarming. So Nigerians will be turning out nationwide to protest against this, and the National Assembly is one of those spaces Nigerians can exercise their constitutional rights. We are encouraging Nigerians to move there in their numbers tomorrow,”he said. Getting to the venue, our correspondent observed a heavy presence of security personnel, including operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and armed police officers, stationed at the National Assembly gate. The entrance was also reinforced with iron barricades as well as a long truck, preventing access to the premises. As at the time of filing this report, the atmosphere remained tense. Punch

Telecoms Tariff Hike: FG Deploys Security Agents As NLC Insists On Protest

February 17, 2025 by admin

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Sunday warned the Nigeria Labour Congress against its planned March 1 shutdown of telecommunication services in response to the recent 50 per cent tariff hike. The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria similarly pushed back against the NLC’s planned boycott of telecom services and shutdown of telecom infrastructure, arguing that such actions are misguided and could harm the industry. The spokesman for the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi, in a chat with The PUNCH on Sunday, said the agency had deployed operatives to the base stations to prevent any illegal action by the protesters. The NSCDC, tasked with protecting critical national infrastructure, including telecommunications, expressed concerns over the potential risks the NLC action could pose to national security and public safety. The NLC announced its intention to shut down the operations of telecommunications companies across the country if the tariff hike announced by the Nigerian Communications Commission was not reversed by the end of February. The union directed Nigerians to boycott the services of major telecom providers, including MTN, Airtel, and Glo, daily between 11am and 2pm starting February 13 and continuing through the month. The NLC in a communiqué signed by its President, Joe Ajaero and General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, accused the telecom operators of breaching public trust by implementing the tariff hike before the conclusion of a 10-man review panel’s deliberations. The union also faulted the government for failing to protect citizens from corporate exploitation. The NLC argued that the tariff increase represented a betrayal of public trust, given the earlier agreement to establish a committee to review the proposed hike. However, the NSCDC urged the NLC to reconsider its planned protest, warning that any disruption to telecom services could expose the country to criminal activities and compromise national security. Afolabi made it clear that the agency will not allow any action that could jeopardise the security of the nation. He revealed that state commandants had been directed to maintain round-the-clock surveillance at telecom facilities, with a nationwide deployment of officers, including undercover operatives, to ensure the protection of these assets. Citing the importance of telecommunications to national security, the corps warned that any disruption could result in vandalism and other criminal activities. He added, “Already, the NSCDC commandant-general has directed state commandants to maintain round-the-clock surveillance in and around all the telecom masts in their locations. “Also, there is going to be nationwide massive deployment of the officers and men of the corps, including undercover and intelligence operatives, to maintain peace and ensure that all the government and corporate organisations’ critical national assets and infrastructure are protected from the miscreants who might likely use the opportunity of the planned protest to carry out their criminal activities.’’ “Available credible intelligence already established the fact that the planned protest will be hijacked by hoodlums and that is why the NSCDC is on top of the situation,” he further stated. The NSCDC called for dialogue to resolve the dispute and hoped that the NLC would reconsider its stance. Afolabi stated, “The NSCDC, under the leadership of Commandant-General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, is appealing to the organized labour under the umbrella of the Nigeria Labour Congress to shelve their planned protest of March 01, 2025 and the move to shut down telecommunication facilities nationwide. “Although peaceful protests are allowed under the law, experience and fallouts of similar threats in the past necessitate the need to appeal to the NLC not to embark on any action that will further affect the security of the country. “NSCDC will not fold its arms and allow any action that will expose the nation’s security and eventual compromised economic stability and public safety, under the guise of protesting the increase in telecom services tariffs. “The scars of similar protests that turned violent in the past are still there as reference points and the NSCDC and other security agencies in the country will not allow the miscreants, hoodlums and other non-state actors to hide under the guise of NLC protest to loot and vandalise government and corporate organisations assets and infrastructure.” The NSCDC stressed its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s critical infrastructure and stated that it is prepared to take decisive legal action against those who attempt to undermine the security of the country. “The NSCDC is committed to safeguarding the lives of Nigerians and property of the government and corporate organizations we are ready to take decisive actions against any individual or group that embarks on any action that can jeopardise the security architecture of the country,” he added. The corps said it has placed its personnel on high alert and warned that anyone found engaging in illegal activities during the protest will be dealt with according to the law. “We still believe that dialogue remains the best solution and we hope that organised labour will listen to the voice of reason and jaw-jaw with the government. We advise organised labour leaders to stay away from base stations and telecom mast locations as NSCDC personnel have been placed on red alert. “Anybody found wanting will be dealt with according to the stipulated law of the country,” the spokesperson cautioned. The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria criticised the NLC over its planned protest. The Secretary-General of PTECSSAN, Abdullahi Okonu, told The PUNCH on Sunday that the union had already made its position clear, arguing that the increase is necessary to prevent a collapse of the industry. In a letter addressed to the NLC, PTECSSAN said the labour congress had acted “in error” by taking decisions without consulting the union, which represents workers in the telecom sector. “It is our firm belief that the Congress Leadership has acted in error in taking these decisions without prior consultation with our union that operates in the sector,” the letter read. “Perhaps, getting in touch with us to provide you with information on the happenings in the sector would … Read more