By Sandra Ugwu 

The Nigeria Police Force has rolled out special forces and tactical units across the country in anticipation of today’s nationwide protest organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), as security agencies move to prevent violence and maintain public order.

Ahead of the demonstrations, state police commands confirmed their readiness to curb any attempt by hoodlums or political actors to hijack the protests. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered heightened security measures, including the deployment of personnel and equipment to strategic locations nationwide.

The NLC has maintained that it will proceed with the protest, tagged a “National Day of Protest and Mourning,” despite security concerns. The action is in response to rising insecurity, unresolved labour agreements, increasing cost of living, and the growing impact of violence on workers’ livelihoods.

NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, confirmed on Tuesday that the congress had mobilised its affiliate unions across all states and the Federal Capital Territory. He warned that any interference with the protest could lead to an indefinite nationwide strike.

According to the NLC, intelligence reports suggest attempts by certain groups to infiltrate or disrupt the rallies. The labour centre cautioned that any attack on protesters would result in a complete shutdown of economic activities.

The congress linked the protest to wider national challenges, including worsening insecurity, poverty, decaying infrastructure, and poor governance. It cited recent incidents such as the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State as evidence of government failure to protect citizens.

Support for the protest has come from several labour and professional groups, including the Federal Workers Forum and the Joint Aviation Trade Unions Forum. While aviation workers confirmed their participation, they assured the public that flight operations would continue uninterrupted.

Meanwhile, police commands in several states, including Benue, Jigawa, Sokoto, Imo, Bayelsa, Kano, Gombe, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Kwara, and Edo, announced the deployment of tactical teams, enhanced patrols, and intelligence-led surveillance to ensure peaceful demonstrations.

The police said they had engaged with labour leaders to guarantee orderly protests, while the NLC urged participants to remain peaceful and law-abiding, calling on security agencies to respect citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly.