In a surprising development, the Nigerian government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, took a robust stance by deploying a contingent of soldiers, police personnel, and operatives from various security agencies on Thursday.
This move aimed to disperse members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) who had gathered at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The NLC and TUC had strategically organized a protest at the Abuja airport, implementing their directive to aviation workers to halt all flights to Owerri, Imo State.
This directive served as a direct response to the recent assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero, allegedly orchestrated by police personnel associated with Governor Hope Uzodimma. According to the NLC, Ajaero faced physical assault and was blindfolded immediately upon arrest by security operatives. As of now, Ajaero’s personal belongings, including phones, remain unrecovered.
The protest scene echoed with chants and songs as union members displayed banners, expressing solidarity with oppressed Imo State workers. Their banners boldly emphasized the principle that “An Injury To One Is An Injury To All.”
With tensions reaching a boiling point, security forces, including the army, police, Department of State Services (DSS), and civil defense, were dispatched to forcefully disperse the demonstrators.
Protesters at the scene voiced concerns about the impending use of force by the security forces. The deployment of such a comprehensive security presence highlights the intensifying tensions between the labour unions and the government, prompting speculation about the future direction of this ongoing conflict.
