Following the ongoing nationwide protest organised by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) against hardship and insecurity across the country, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, has explained why the police are involved in the protest.
CP Adeoye, who addressed the Labour Union leaders at the Alex Ekwueme Square junction in Awka during the rally, said the involvement of the police was to ensure a peaceful movement and to prevent the rally from being hijacked by suspected hoodlums in the state.
The CP noted that he has deployed many officers under his watch to protect the protesters and to prevent any potential breakdown of law and order before, during and after the rally in the state
According to him, I have mobilised officers from the state police command to accompany the workers during their protest rally, ensuring that hoodlums do not exploit the situation. We will also guarantee the safety of lives and property of the people of the state throughout the protest.”
The commissioner described the protest as peaceful.
He was accompanied by his deputy in charge of operations, Mr. Ibrahim Ezekiel, and other senior officers of the State Command.
The State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Humphrey Emeka Nwafor, on his part, while speaking to journalists shortly after the rally, said they were protesting over the high level of economic hardship in the country.
Nwafor commended members for coming out in large numbers to demand fairness, equity, and good governance in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Tribune reported that the protesters were seen carrying placards with inscriptions such as Stop the hunger, lower food prices, stop robbing the poor, end naira devaluation, and support local production, among others.
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