LAGOS- The police command in Lagos State has deployed operatives to guard legitimate protesters at designated venues and routes, as the organised labour begins nationwide protest against alleged anti-labour policies.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.
NAN reports that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) called out their members for a mass protest that began on Wednesday.
They are demanding salary increase, end to petrol price increase, end to Naira devaluation, and fixing of refineries, among others.
According to Hundeyin, there is an agreement that labour unions should not allow hoodlums to hijack the protest.
Hundeyin also said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Idowu Owohunwa, met with labour leaders on Tuesday and agreed on the mode of operation for the protest.
“The unions are to make available to the police, the venues and routes they are to gather or pass through, so that security will be provided for them.
“The command has deployed operatives to all the venues and routes and has provided security beyond the areas the unions mentioned.
“The residents are to go about their normal businesses, there is no cause for alarm.
“Police operatives are out there for security. They will not smile with those that want to cause trouble,” he warned.
A NAN correspondent, who monitored the situation, reports that police operatives were deployed to Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota; Maryland, National Stadium, Surulere; Ikeja Under Bridge, Iyana-Isolo, and Oshodi. (NAN)
