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...police battle ready�IGP
BISIRIYU OLAOYE, Deputy News Editor
AS Labour and Civil Society Groups (LASCO) prepare for tomorrow�s planned nationwide strike, police yesterday said
they were ready to secure strategic offices and institutions as well as arrest and prosecute any person or group
of persons who threaten public peace.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Tafa Balogun, who stated this in a statement, urged people to go about their
lawful businesses without fear of harassment and intimidation.
According to the IGP, adequate security arrangements had been made to all banks, hospitals, schools, financial
institutions, NNPC, NITEL and NEPA installations, federal and state civil services� secretariats, parastatals,
markets, motorparks, filling stations, among others.
The four-page statement entitled: Proposed NLC Strike: Time for Dialogue, personally signed by Mr. Balogun and
made available to Daily Champion in Lagos yesterday, read:
"The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and has threatened to resume its strike on November 16, 2004 over increases
in petroleum products. The NLC leadership has said the next strike will be indefinite and more massive in participation.
Preparatory to this, labour leaders have started mobilising members of the public to participate in the strike.
"The scale and magnitude of the proposed strike are quite frightening and disturbing. The police wish to note
that the strike coming in less than one month after the last one in October 2004, will not do any good to the stability
of the country, our national economy, nascent democracy, international image and reputation. Such strikes often
result in enormous economic losses for the country and the people. Internal security, peace and stability are never
enhanced. The growth of our young democracy will be retarded. The cumulative effect of these strikes is that it
does not encourage adequate investment in the country. At the end, the ordinary man whose interest labour claims
to be championing is more adversely affected by the strike than without it. In effect, in every strike everyone
loses one way or the other.
"The police recognises the right of labour to declare trade dispute. But Labour law itself does not support
violence nor does it warrant colouration of protest. Therefore, caution and discretion is very necessary especially
at this critical moment of our national life. The Nigeria Police therefore uses this medium to sue for peace and
hereby call, on Labour to continue to dialogue with the government on how to cushion the effects of the increases
in prices of petroleum products on the masses. This is what we are talking about.
"The police are calling for this peaceful approach, using the instrumentality of dialogue which is nationally
and internationally acclaimed as the most rationale and best practices in any civilised society. Knowing fully
well that Labour leaders have the interest of the nation and the citizenry in particular at heart, the Nigeria
Police Force (NPF), urges labour leaders to bury the hatchet and embrace peaceful negotiation and dialogue.
"Needless to remind all and sundry that the Nigeria Police Force has a duty to maintain law and order in the
society. We will perform this duty at all times. Therefore, all persons (workers inclusive) are enjoined to go
about their lawful duties and legitimate businesses without fear of harassment and intimidation. The police have
made adequate arrangement to provide security to all banks, hospitals, schools, financial institutions, NNPC, NITEL
and NEPA installations, federal and state civil services� secretariats, parastatals, markets, motor parks filling
stations, etc.
"Any person or group of persons who threaten public peace will not be spared. Such persons will be promptly
arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law," the statement added.
© 2004 @ Champion Newspapers Limited (All Right Reserved).
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