….Calls for a peaceful procession
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 7 Command Headquarters, Abuja, AIG Adebowale Williams on Tuesday, 1st August 2023 met with the leaders of the Nigerian Labour Congress to ensure peaceful conduct of the protest in the FCT, in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to engage in fruitful discussions with the NLC/TUC leadership to foster understanding and reach common grounds on the planned protests.
According to a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 7 Command Headquarters, DSP M.B Abdulkadir, said that the meeting was held at the Office of the AIG and had representatives of the National Body of the NLC; Comrade Benson Upah and Comrade Eche Asuzu.
The meeting was a necessity, due to the scheduled planned protest by the union which was to hold nationwide on Wednesday 2nd August 2023.
AIG Adebowale Williams, emphasized the need for collaboration with the union leaders in the best interest of the peaceful atmosphere prevalent in the FCT and the safety of lives and properties, adding that peace should be prioritised by the union during the planned protest.
The AIG stressed the need to be orderly as the Union goes about its procession and there will be adequate security deployment. He added that the cooperation is important, as it will help the Police nip in the bud those miscreants masquerading as members of the Union.
The AIG therefore, called on all officers of the FCT and Niger State Command to be vigilant, professional and civil but firm in discharging their duty.
The NLC delegation assured the AIG of cooperating with the Police in the area of information sharing to have a peaceful protest by identifying all their members who would participate in the procession.
They also informed the AIG about the places the procession will go to, to enable the police to know their whereabouts to have a hitch-free and smooth procession.
