In a statement issued by Comrade Yusuf Inuwa, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Borno State chapter, the State Police Commissioner Mohammed Yusuf was charged with interfering with members’ ability to peacefully demonstrate in Maiduguri, the capital of the state.
This information was revealed by Inuwa at Tuesday morning’s briefing with journalists at his office.
He recounted how, following the preparations for the nonviolent demonstrations against economic hardship, he was summoned to the Maiduguri Police Headquarters by the chief of police in a distress call.
He claims that the CP told him at the police headquarters that, given the state’s unusual and precarious security situation, the NLC should not spearhead the demonstrations.
“I spoke with you earlier today to let you know that the CP has stopped the NLC from starting the peaceful protests around the country in Maiduguri.
I got a panic call from the Police Commissioner saying I needed to be at the Maiduguri Police Headquarters immediately, even though plans were already in motion for peaceful rallies against the economic problems. I thought that would be of interest to you.
The CP told me that, given the state’s unusual and precarious security circumstances, the NLC shouldn’t spearhead the demonstrations while I was at the police headquarters.
In order to bring about peace, I convened an emergency meeting of all the unions’ state executive members (SECs). After much discussion, we decided that in order to inform the world that we are not allowed to participate in even a one-kilometer street protest, we should address the press.
“We have no choice but to comply with the CP’s directive,” they said, adding, “Some miscreants want to exploit the planned peaceful protests to wreck havoc within the metropolis.” Stated by Comrade Inuwa