FCT: Reschedule your planned protest, Police urge NLC

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Police Force has advised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), FCT Council, to reschedule its planned peaceful mass protest slated for Tuesday, February 3, 2026, citing concerns over public safety.

The protest, expected to take place within the Federal Capital City (FCC), was organised by the NLC in solidarity with the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), whose members are currently on strike over unresolved labour issues with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The police advice followed a mobilisation notice issued on Saturday, January 31, 2026, and signed by the Chairperson of the NLC FCT Council, Comrade Stephen Knabayi, calling on all affiliate unions to assemble at Labour House by 7:00 am for the protest.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, quoted the Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, as saying that while the Command respects citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, intelligence reports indicated plans by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and other non-state actors to infiltrate and hijack the protest.

According to the police, such infiltration could threaten public peace and security, prompting the appeal to the organisers to consider rescheduling the protest to a later date in the interest of safety. The Command assured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining law and order across the FCT.

The development comes amid an ongoing industrial dispute involving workers of the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) under the umbrella of JUAC, who commenced an indefinite strike on January 19, 2026, over the non-payment of promotion arrears and other entitlements.

In response, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the FCTA instituted a suit at the National Industrial Court against JUAC leaders, seeking to restrain further industrial action. The court, presided over by Justice E. D. Subilim, ordered the suspension of the strike to allow dialogue to continue.

Following the ruling, the FCT Minister urged workers to return to work, stressing the need to respect court orders. The Acting Head of the FCT Civil Service, Mrs. Nancy Sabanti, subsequently issued a circular directing all Secretariats, Departments and Agencies to enforce immediate resumption of duty through strict attendance monitoring.

However, JUAC, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Comrade Abdullahi Umar Saleh, directed workers to remain at home, noting that the union had appealed the court ruling at the Court of Appeal.

Despite the planned NLC protest and JUAC’s directive, many workers returned to duty on Monday. Visits to key offices within the FCT Central Administration, including the Minister’s Office, Treasury Department, FCDA and Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), showed normal activity.

Some workers, who spoke off record, said they resumed work in compliance with the court order while negotiations between the government and labour unions continue.