NLC protest: Police deploy operatives in Imo, warn against violence

The police command in Imo has warned against the breakdown of law and order during the planned protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in the state.

Members of organised labour will mobilise to the streets on February 27 and 28 in protest against the current economic hardship in the country. 

On February 16, NLC declared a two-day nationwide protest over the economic hardship in the country.

In a statement on Monday, Aboki Danjuma, the commissioner of police in Imo, said operatives of the command have been deployed across the state to ensure maximum safety of the residents.

The commissioner said while citizens have the right to protest, police would not tolerate any form of violence.

“As part of a strategic measure to ensure the maximum safety and security of all and sundry in the State during the proposed nationwide protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), on the 27th and 28th of February, 2024, the commissioner of police Imo state command, CP Aboki Danjuma, has deployed water-tight security across the length and breadth of the state and placed officers and men on red alert to avert any attempt by miscreants to hijack the protest,” the statement reads.

“Earlier today, the commissioner of police met with the leaders of the Nigeria Labor Congress, Imo state chapter, and reached a striking agreement to ensure the protest was peaceful.

“Accordingly, the commissioner of police mandated the assistant commissioner of police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID) to deploy detectives on covert intelligence gathering operations and directed Area Commanders, DPOs, and tactical team commanders to embark on confidence building patrol in synergy with other security agencies and ensure that their jurisdiction is adequately policed while traffic personnel are to assist operatives in crowd and vehicle control.

“CP Danjuma therefore, calls on all participants to conduct themselves peacefully and warns that anyone who infringes on the fundamental human rights of another or causes any breakdown of law and order during the procession will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“He assured that police operatives will accompany the peaceful protesters throughout the procession, as agreed with the NLC leaders in the state.”