News
JUST IN: Police Seal NLC Office In Lagos Over Planned Nationwide Protests
…as protesters converge in Lagos
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigeria Police Force has sealed the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) office in Lagos State to prevent the planned nationwide protest against hunger and hardship.
The protest, scheduled by the NLC for February 27 and 28, aimed to address the economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
Activist and national coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Hassan Taiwo, shared an image on Monday morning showing armed police personnel stationed in front of the NLC headquarters in the Yaba area of Lagos State.
According to Taiwo, a few comrades were sealed off in the building, uncertain about the developments awaiting them.
The NLC issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Nigerian government regarding widespread hardship, leading to organising the protest.
However, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), urged the NLC to cancel the protest.
Despite warnings from the government and concerns from other quarters, the NLC insisted that the protest would proceed as planned.
It accused the government of preparing to attack peaceful rallies and alleged the involvement of certain groups in causing violence against protestors.
The NLC President, in a statement, emphasised the right to peaceful protest and warned against suppressing dissent or inflicting violence on peaceful protestors.
The statement also mentioned the potential deployment of state-sponsored terror and expressed the NLC’s determination to proceed with the protest.
In anticipation of the upcoming organized labor protest set to commence on Tuesday, the ‘Take It Back Movement’, a human rights group, has initiated a nationwide demonstration in Lagos State to address the prevailing economic hardships in the country.
This action occurs despite the caution issued by Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, against violent behavior or activities that could disrupt public order, such as obstructing traffic and impeding commercial operations within the state.
Fayoade reassured residents of Lagos that appropriate security measures had been enacted to safeguard lives and property, regardless of any protest activity.
However, disregarding the police warning, the ‘Take It Back Movement’ proceeded with their demonstration on Monday, brandishing placards as they marched through the streets.
In a related development, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has cautioned that protesters nationwide must not face harm or harassment during the planned protest scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its national president, Joe Ajaero, the NLC expressed concerns over potential state-sponsored tactics aimed at thwarting the protests.
The NLC warned that any aggression against protesters would be met with severe consequences, including a complete shutdown and withdrawal of services.
Despite government attempts to intimidate them, the NLC reiterated its commitment to the planned protest, citing the urgent need to address escalating economic challenges, including rising inflation, food prices, forex shortages, and the removal of petrol subsidies.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has expressed deep grief over the passing away of former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.
Reacting to the development on Saturday Mbah said: “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.
“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.
He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
No fewer than seven people lost their lives on Saturday following the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The deadly incident occurred along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road, a notorious route that cuts through the Sambisa Forest—an area long plagued by insurgent activities.
The victims were part of a convoy of vehicles being escorted by the military from Damboa to Maiduguri.
According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the explosion struck as the convoy—organized to provide safe passage through the volatile region—was underway. Several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road serves as a vital link between the state capital and several local government areas in southern Borno, including Chibok and Gwoza.
For years, the route remained closed to civilian traffic due to persistent terrorist threats. However, under the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, the road was reopened, with military escorts deployed to accompany travelers twice weekly after clearing the area for explosives.
Saturday’s attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of the corridor, despite consistent military presence. The blast also comes just days after Governor Zulum publicly raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram activity in the state, highlighting the persistent threat the group poses to peace and development in the region.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while investigations and security operations in the area continue.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated a search following the theft of a black Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which was stolen during Friday’s Juma’at prayers in Abuja.
It was gathered that the vehicle was parked around 1:05pm opposite the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) complex in Area 10, while the official attended prayers at a nearby mosque.
Security source, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealing that the ONSA official returned from the mosque only to find the vehicle missing.
According to him, a sources said the theft was immediately reported to the Garki Police Division at approximately 2:00 p.m., leading to a swift response by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command promptly activated a stop-and-search operation at various checkpoints and across all entry and exit points in the capital city.
Police authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and all efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits and recover the vehicle.
The Command said it had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen Hilux.
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