NLC protest: Police and DSS step up N'Assembly security
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By Abiodun Sanusi and Tope Omogbolagun
July 27, 2022
Officers from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security Services and the Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps have heightened security around the National Assembly Compound, Abuja, following the ongoing protest organized by the Nigeria Labor Congress in solidarity with the Universities Academic Staff Union.
Workers from various states in the federation had launched the protest on Tuesday, warning the federal government to accede to ASUU demands for the university union to reopen Nigerian universities that have been closed for more than five months.
Those leading the protest in Abuja on Wednesday included NLC Chairman Ayuba Wabba; AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, former legislator, Senator Shehu Sani, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, and ASUU outgoing President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, among others.
They are currently leading protesters to the National Assembly as officers from the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies clear the way to ensure adequate safety of life and property.
A Nigerian police officer who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said they had been deployed to protect protesters, especially given recent security threats by non-state actors to launch massive attacks on strategic locations within the FCT.
He said: "We were only deployed here to protect life and property. It is no longer news that there are imminent threats of attack against the FCT. So we are here to make sure everyone is safe."
Federal Capital Territory Police Command Public Relations Officer DSP Josephine Adeh, who spoke to our correspondent, said NPF officers were at the National Assembly to protect protesters against attacks, and also to curb any violence that may erupt during the ongoing protest.
Adeh said, “Our officers are there to protect protesters and other citizens. There is no need for alarm. They are there to curb any violence that may erupt.”
Meanwhile, Senate Speaker Ahmad Lawan announced that the senate was to meet behind closed doors minutes after protesters stormed the National Assembly compound on Wednesday.
Details later…
Please share this story:
By Abiodun Sanusi and Tope Omogbolagun
July 27, 2022
Officers from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security Services and the Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps have heightened security around the National Assembly Compound, Abuja, following the ongoing protest organized by the Nigeria Labor Congress in solidarity with the Universities Academic Staff Union.
Workers from various states in the federation had launched the protest on Tuesday, warning the federal government to accede to ASUU demands for the university union to reopen Nigerian universities that have been closed for more than five months.
Those leading the protest in Abuja on Wednesday included NLC Chairman Ayuba Wabba; AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, former legislator, Senator Shehu Sani, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, and ASUU outgoing President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, among others.
They are currently leading protesters to the National Assembly as officers from the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies clear the way to ensure adequate safety of life and property.
A Nigerian police officer who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said they had been deployed to protect protesters, especially given recent security threats by non-state actors to launch massive attacks on strategic locations within the FCT.
He said: "We were only deployed here to protect life and property. It is no longer news that there are imminent threats of attack against the FCT. So we are here to make sure everyone is safe."
Federal Capital Territory Police Command Public Relations Officer DSP Josephine Adeh, who spoke to our correspondent, said NPF officers were at the National Assembly to protect protesters against attacks, and also to curb any violence that may erupt during the ongoing protest.
Adeh said, “Our officers are there to protect protesters and other citizens. There is no need for alarm. They are there to curb any violence that may erupt.”
Meanwhile, Senate Speaker Ahmad Lawan announced that the senate was to meet behind closed doors minutes after protesters stormed the National Assembly compound on Wednesday.
Details later…
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