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Labour Strike (Day 3)

As the general strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress enters the third day, different situations are being reported in … Continue reading Labour Strike (Day 3)


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As the general strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress enters the third day, different situations are being reported in various states in the country.

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Violence aborted in Kogi
A peaceful protest on fuel subsidy removal in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital Wednesday gave way to violence between the angry youths and security agents when policemen shot teargas at the youth to prevent them from blocking the high ways and preventing travellers from passing through the city.

The situation led to one of the youths and a policeman on duty sustaining injuries. A disabled old woman almost got choked by the tear gas as she was unable to run for dear life. The timely intervention of the state police commissioner, Mr Marvel Akpoyibo who was at the Freedom Square, calmed the situation, after he appealed to the youths to remain peaceful.

Government offices and businesses still remain under shut in total compliance with the industrial action, but for the youths they have vowed to continue the protest, saying nobody can stop them.

No work in Abia
The Abia State chapters of both unions have said the order by the state government asking workers to return to work will not be obeyed.
Addressing a crowd in Umuahia, the state capital Wednesday, officials of the unions maintained that the strike will continue and asked workers not to go back to work.

Meanwhile, private schools have defied the strike order by organised labour and have resumed. The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools in a statement signed by the national secretary of the group, Enyinnaya Harbor, stated that the body is not an affiliate of the NLC or the TUC and therefore will not continue with the action.

Protests continue in Kano
Organised labour and civil society groups have embarked on a peaceful protest despite initial plans to suspend rallies in Kano. The protesters assembled at Labour House on Katsina Road before marching to the Centre for Democratic Studies where they are expected to offer afternoon prayers, after which they would continue to the Federal Secretariat where they would terminate the rally for the day.
The protest in Kano which started on Monday was hijacked by hoodlums, which left several people injured and a teenager dead.

Our correspondent Enenche Akogwu in Kano reports that the situation in the state is relatively calm and people are going about their business normally but government offices remain closed and security agents are seen at strategic places.

Ogun is calm
The Ogun State capital, Abeokuta, remains largely calm. However, some miscreants were seen in some streets in the state capital extorting money from residents. Unconfirmed report states that there have been of clashes in the Sagamu area of the state, but the state police command denied any clash or disturbance between the Hausa and Yoruba communities in the area.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi said that the alleged face-off was not true, adding that although some people wanted to take advantage of the killing by a stray bullet of a middle-aged man at Ibafo on Tuesday, the situation was immediately brought under control.

Meanwhile a mass protest organised by the state chapter of the NLC, and other civil society groups has paralysed commercial activities in the Remo axis of the state, but the protest is said to be peaceful.

Jos residents sit at home
The people of Jos in Plateau State appear to have obeyed the sit-at-home instruction given by the organized labour to the letter.

Our correspondent Yemi Kosoko reports that the union leaders are right now going round the plateau state capital and other parts of the state to monitor the situation, insisting that the sit-at-home order must be fully adhered to.

However, individual petrol sellers popularly called black marketers, seem to be having a field day as petrol stations are closed in parts of the state.

Meanwhile the strike action is currently having adverse effects on passengers as some are now stranded at motor parks as no vehicles are seen leaving the city.

Also federal and state offices are still under lock and key despite the order by the federal government for workers to return to work or forfeit their salaries.

Anambra is indifferent
The nationwide strike appears not to have been taken seriously in Anambra State as business premises, including some government offices are open for business, although with some banks remain closed.

Channels Television investigation revealed that markets were open, with traders, transporters and commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators going about their normal businesses without molestation.

Some private schools students and pupils were seen in their various classrooms receiving lessons.