BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has cautioned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to reschedule their planned protest in line with the existing court restraining order.
This is as the Command also cited intelligence reports of potential security threats as a reason for the Unions to shift the planned protest slated to hold this morning in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The Command’s advisory follows the interim order issued by Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court (NIC) restraining the NLC, TUC, and three others from embarking on any form of industrial action or protest.
The Unions had tagged the protest as a solidarity rally with members of the striking Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC).
Justice Subilim had, while ruling on an ex parte application filed by the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration, granted an interim order restraining the 1st to 5th respondents and their privies or agents from embarking on strike pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
He also ordered the 5th to 9th defendants, who are security agencies, to ensure no breakdown of law and order.
The ex parte motion, filed by counsel to Wike and the FCTA, Ogwu Onoja, submitted that the Chairman of the FCT Council had sent a message of mobilisation to members and affiliated unions for a mass protest today.
Noting that the move violates the court’s orders, Onoja said after the ruling on 27th January 2026, the order was served on the defendants, but on the same day, the NLC and TUC issued a statement to all affiliated unions to intensify and sustain the strike.
The statement, jointly signed by both unions, directed that the striking workers resume the strike, explaining that their counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), has already filed an appeal against the interlocutory ruling.
The court subsequently adjourned the hearing until February 10.
On its part, the FCT Police Command in urging the two labour centres to reschedule their planned protest, intelligence indicated plans by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and other non-state actors to infiltrate and disrupt the protest.
Speaking through its spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the Command warned that this situation could pose a threat to public peace and safety in the nation’s capital.
A statement by SP Adeh said: “The FCT Police Command is aware of a planned peaceful protest by the NLC FCT Council scheduled to hold tomorrow, Tuesday, 3rd February 2026, within the Federal Capital Territory.
“While the Command recognises and respects the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and protest, intelligence reports at the disposal of the police indicate plans by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria and other non-state actors to infiltrate and hijack the protest for purposes inimical to public peace and security.”
The Command’s PRO, who explained that the advisory aimed at preventing a breakdown of law and order, protecting residents, and ensuring the unhindered conduct of lawful activities in the FCT, said: “In view of the overriding interest of public safety, the Command respectfully appeals to the organisers to consider rescheduling the activity to a later date and time.”
But in a sharp reaction to the Police advisory, the Labour Movement noted that the Command’s action has become routine and part of a recurring pattern of restrictions on workers’ protests, especially during times of economic tension.
It insisted that they had followed proper procedures in notifying security agencies and emphasised that the protest is intended to be peaceful and focused on workers’ welfare.
While expressing frustration at the Police action, the labour centres insisted that workers cannot be gagged and remain silent in the face of unpaid salaries and allowances.
