The group led by Comrade Isah Mohammed and Layefa Inie had arrived the Labour House as early as 10am and barricaded the entire entrance, thus preventing workers and other visitors from having access into the complex.
The protesters turned violent and started attacking innocent people, especially women and journalists, who came to cover the protest. In the course of the attack, the mob vandalised vehicles, carting away mobile phones, cameras, wallets and other valuables.
Comrade Mohammed, in his address, warned labour not to go ahead with the planned strike but dialogue with the Federal Government on the way forward. He said that labour leaders would face the wrath of Nigerian youths if they go ahead with the strike.
Mohammed, who accused organised labour of collecting a whopping N4billion as bribe from the Federal Government, wondered why their leaders should mobilise workers and civil society groups to embark on a general strike beginning from Monday, January, 9.
The group expressed support for the removal of fuel, as, according to it, this would improve the lives of Nigerians and create jobs.
Members of the group promised to foil any attempt by organized labour to embark on their planned strike.
Also addressing the group, Deputy National Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Eustace James, told the protesters that the general strike called by labour was to ensure that government fulfilled its obligations of providing basic amenities for its citizenry. He said the increase in the price of petroleum products has had a negative effect on the generality of Nigerians, who are now groaning in pains, as prices of virtually everything, including transportation and foodstuff, among others, have suddenly skyrocketed.
He told members of the group that the organised labour would not hesitate to call off its planned strike if the government reverts to the N65 per litre of fuel.
Meanwhile, the NLC has condemned the invasion of its national secretariat by the protesters.
A statement condemning the attack, entitled “NLC condemns invasion by government thugs and deployment of presidential guards in Abuja,” signed by the acting National Secretary, Owei Lakemfa, NLC said that the invasion of its secretariat was another “desperate attempt by the increasingly isolated and unpopular Jonathan administration to stop the mass movement against its insensitive and ridiculous fuel price increases of between 120-220 per cent,
It however revealed that some of those who participated in the protest have “apologized for their action, claiming that they were not told they were being brought to the NLC.:
He said that the youths revealed they “were promised N1,000 each to carry out the invasion. Subsequently, they forced the agents that brought them to pay the N1, 000 fee right in the presence of the cameras.”
Lakemfa, said the aim of the invasion was to cause a fracas so that the organisers would claim that workers were divided over the issue of fuel price increase, adding: “While the invasion was on, the FCT Police Command ignored calls by NLC officers to come and escort the thugs out of the Labour premises. Also, the heavily armed security men who had condoned off parts of the NTA Link Road, where Labour House is situated, did nothing to stop the invaders.”
Similarly, the NLC condemned what it describes as the militarisation of Abuja by the presidency, describing the action as part of the desperate moves to abort the mass protests by Nigerians.
According to the NLC, “the Presidency this morning turned out heavily armed units of the Presidential guards. The troops blocked roads, condoned off parts of the city, harassed and frisked passersby.
“We condemn this ‘show of force’ designed to intimidate peace loving Nigerians. The NLC also condemns this misuse of the army and warn that the police and armed forces are citizens like the rest of us who are equally affected by the negative impacts of the fuel price hike, and should therefore not be taken for granted.”
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