The Nigeria Police Force has deployed special forces and tactical units across the country ahead of today’s nationwide protest organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over worsening insecurity and other labour-related grievances.
State police commands, in separate briefings on Tuesday, confirmed heightened security arrangements to prevent hoodlums or political agents from hijacking the demonstrations.
The NLC has insisted it will proceed with the protests, describing them as a National Day of Protest and Mourning. According to the union, the action is aimed at drawing attention to escalating insecurity, rising living costs, unresolved agreements with the Federal Government, and the impact of violence on workers’ livelihoods.
NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, said the congress had mobilised its affiliate unions nationwide and warned that any attempt to disrupt the protests could trigger an indefinite national strike.
“We are going on with the protest across the country,” Upah said, adding that intelligence reports suggested possible attempts to infiltrate or violently disrupt the rallies.
He warned that harm to any worker or citizen would result in an immediate shutdown of economic activities nationwide.
“Our action is not just a procession; it is a collective expression of grief and a democratic demand for the right to life and security,” the NLC stated, stressing that any attack on the protest would lead to escalation.
The union described the demonstration as a civic action, not just a labour issue, urging workers, students, traders and citizens to remain peaceful and united. It also called on the police to protect citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
The protest follows resolutions reached at the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting on December 4, during which the union condemned the surge in kidnappings and banditry, including the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State in November, where two staff members were killed.
In support of the protest, the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) described the action as a “national assignment,” citing worsening insecurity, poor governance and economic hardship. The Joint Aviation Trade Unions Forum also confirmed participation, while assuring that aviation operations would not be disrupted.
Across the states, police commands announced extensive deployments. In Benue, Jigawa, Sokoto, Imo, Bayelsa, Kano, Gombe, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom and Kwara states, police authorities said tactical teams, patrol units and intelligence assets, including drones in some states, had been mobilised to ensure peaceful protests.
Police spokespersons in the various states confirmed engagements with labour leaders and assured residents of adequate security before, during and after the demonstrations.
“The police recognise the constitutional right of citizens to protest peacefully and will ensure law and order while preventing criminal infiltration,” the Kwara State Police Command said.
The nationwide protest comes amid deepening public concern over insecurity, poverty and governance challenges, with recent World Bank data indicating that more than 60 per cent of Nigerians now live below the poverty line.
