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- Police vows to provide protection of lives, property
From Emmanuel Uzor, Awka
Government activities, including commercial institutions, were shut down in Anambra State as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)’s strike coincided with the Monday sit-at-home declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Daily Sun reports that government offices, particularly the Anambra State Secretariat in Awka, were under lock and key. Courts and the State House of Assembly were also seen locked, with workers hanging around.
A source, who requested anonymity, said leaders of various labor unions in the state had directed a total shutdown of activities, instructing security personnel to lock the gates of various offices in full compliance with the NLC’s directive.
It was observed that the commencement of the NLC’s strike action coincided with IPOB’s weekly Monday sit-at-home. Many people, however, could not readily differentiate between the sit-at-home and the NLC’s strike action.
Speaking on the development, the President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Anambra State chapter, Charles Adigwe, said his union was participating in the strike action.
Adigwe stated that NULGE, as an affiliate body, is participating in the ongoing strike action in solidarity with the NLC.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command said it would do everything within its legal framework to protect workers who wished to disregard the NLC’s order.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, said, “Following the Federal Government’s recent declaration that the planned strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress is illegal and premature, the Anambra State Police Command reiterates the command’s commitment to enforce the legal recommendations and calls for caution to prevent a breach of public safety and peace.
“The Command understands the right of organized labor to engage in such actions to advocate for the interests of all workers, but notes the importance of adherence to the existing laws governing such activities. The Command has deployed Police Operatives to different strategic areas, tasked with the responsibility of preventing any miscreants from using the opportunity to cause any breach of public safety and peace in the State.
“To this end, the Command encourages the good people of the State to go about their lawful businesses and be law-abiding, vigilant, and security-conscious. Also, in the event of needing security service or to report any security-related incident.”
