On Saturday, the organized Labour leadership warned the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to cease what they termed the “massacre” of protesters engaged in nationwide demonstrations against hunger.
They also urged President Bola Tinubu to address the current crisis in the country and to respond to the demands of the protesting Nigerians.
Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, asserted that a sustainable solution lies in the government’s willingness to engage in genuine negotiations with the protest leaders, emphasizing that threats from the police and military will yield no positive outcomes.
Ajaero questioned the professionalism of the police high command and their oversight under Kayode Egbetokun, stating that as the primary agency responsible for managing internal security, the police are complicit in the ongoing violence against citizens.
He insisted that police efforts should be redirected toward combating marauding bandits wreaking havoc across the nation, rather than targeting innocent citizens asserting their rights.
“With unverified reports indicating over 40 casualties in just two days of managing the EndHunger protests nationwide, we have ample grounds—supported by evidence and video footage—to label this a massacre of citizens,” he stated.
“If the police had applied the same reckless brutality against bandits or criminals, our nation would be in a much better state. As the leading agency in internal security management, the police bear responsibility for this bloodshed,” he added.
Ajaero pointed to the Kaduna State police command, led by Commissioner Audu Ali Dabigi, as a prime example of failure. He recounted a harrowing incident where a fleeing protester, heard on camera, desperately implored police not to shoot, only to be drowned out by gunfire that resulted in a protester’s death and several injuries.
In contrast, he noted the Edo State Police Command, under Commissioner Funsho Adegboroye, as exemplary in crowd management, as Adegboroye was seen engaging with the protesters and effectively maintaining order.
While acknowledging the differing socio-cultural contexts of the two states, Ajaero stressed that the sanctity of human life is a universal truth that must be upheld.
“We are profoundly saddened by this senseless loss of life at the hands of trigger-happy police officers. In Asokoro, Abuja, under Commissioner Bennett Igweh, protesters questioned why the police were firing upon them as they marched peacefully,” he remarked.
“One alarming pattern emerged: once police initiated violence, chaos ensued, affirming the belief that violence begets violence. We question what has happened to years of training and experience.
“Have no lessons been learned, or has there been a widespread erosion of human values? Do our police personnel not observe how their counterparts manage equally challenging situations in other parts of the world?”
The Labour leader called for accountability, demanding that those officers complicit in the violence face disciplinary actions, along with their commanders.
He also insisted on rightful compensation for the families of the deceased and asserted that the government should provide care and rehabilitation for the injured.
While expressing gratitude to the Nigeria Bar Association for their intervention in mobilizing human rights committees to remain vigilant, he insisted that all detainees be released immediately and unconditionally.
“We commend the NBA’s national leadership for directing its human rights committees to remain alert. We urge them to ensure that no one is unlawfully detained in connection with the protests.
“Never again should police use live ammunition to manage demonstrations, no matter how challenging the circumstances become. We anticipate improvements in crowd control methods moving forward, even as the new directive from the IGP might be construed by some personnel as a license to kill without justification.
“We will closely monitor the unfolding situation. As the lead agency entrusted with internal security, the police must not only set a positive example but inspire other services as well.”
“However, if the police arrogantly dismiss this advice as mere meddling and continue their violent actions, they will inadvertently create the very circumstances they intended to prevent. In that case, we, as members of organized labor, will bear the moral obligation to act in defense of ordinary citizens.
“Ultimately, we believe the solution rests with the government and its willingness to make tough decisions and genuine compromises in response to the protesters’ legitimate demands.
“As we stated in our messages on July 22nd and 23rd, the clearest path to a lasting resolution is for the government to meet with the protest leaders and negotiate sincerely. Time is of the essence; no one is swayed by the empty rhetoric of government officials or the threats from the police and military. We are all Nigerians, after all.”
