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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
Acting Inspector-General of Police(IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has called on state police commissioners to be vigilant should labour go ahead with its planned protest.
He said the police would not fold its arm and allow any person or group cause havoc to innocent Nigerians. He said the police was fully prepared to deploy all available resources to maintain law and order and to protect the lives and property of citizens.
He, however, charged police personnel to be professional and uphold the highest standards of conduct during the protest.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumiyiwa Adejobi, said the IGP was concerned about the planned nationwide protests.
While being mindful of the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in the Constitution, the IGP urged all parties involved to ensure the planned demonstrations are conducted in a peaceful manner to prevent being hijacked by miscreants, owing to the previous ugly experiences of such protests in most major cosmopolitan cities in the country.
The IGP, however, acknowledged the grievances raised by the labour unions and the importance of constructive dialogue, which is sine qua non in addressing these issues.
In light of this, he ordered the Commissioners of Police in charge of various commands, and supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to engage in fruitful discussions with the NLC/TUC leadership to foster understanding and reach common grounds on the planned protests.
