TUC condemns killing of workers in Nasarawa

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has condemned the shooting of workers by the police stationed at the gate of Nasarawa State Government House during a joint visit of the leadership of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura on Friday. The shooting […]

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has condemned the shooting of workers by the police stationed at the gate of Nasarawa State Government House during a joint visit of the leadership of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura on Friday.
The shooting left two workers dead and two others injured.
According to a  statement signed by its President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, and Acting Secretary General, Comrade  Simeso Amachree, the TUC said: “We are distraught that labour leaders who were in the state to dialogue with the state government over the unlawful 50 percent cut in salaries of workers in the state were confronted with such dastardly act. We are especially shocked that the incident happened while the new Commissioner of Police in the state was also there visiting the governor. It was certainly uncalled for because the workers were unarmed and their protest was very legitimate and peaceful. There is absolutely no reason why bullets should be employed to intimidate and cow workers from insisting on their fundamental rights.”
The statement further observed that “it is simply inexcusable for the police to employ maximum force against innocent workers who, apart from not being paid promptly, had their salaries unlawfully cut by 50 percent. Security operatives are supposed to protect life not waste same.”
TUC  urged  the workers in the state to remain calm and law abiding, and  called  on the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the trigger-happy officer or officers responsible for the shootings are promptly disengaged from the Nigeria Police Force and fully prosecuted, otherwise  Nigerian workers shall not hesitate to embark on indefinite nationwide protest.