Police in Nasarawa state has allegedly shot four workers, killing one and leaving three critically injured during a protest by aggrieved state workers.
According to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ayuba Wabba while addressing Journalists at the Police Clinic in Lafia, capital of the state, the incident occurred at the gate of the Government House, where the workers had gone to await the outcome of the NLC meeting with Tanko Al-Makura, governor of the state.
Workers in the state had embarked on an indefinite strike following the decision of the state government to slash their salary by 50 per cent.
Wabba said: “The workers were unarmed and peacefully protesting for their rights only to be shot at by policemen stationed at the government house gate.
“We do not know what prompted them to shoot at unarmed workers who were waiting for us to finish discussion with the state government over the issue of their emoluments. They were attacked with maximum force. You can see one dead, two critically injured. They were very peaceful, unfortunately the police, under whatever pretence opened fire. It is most unfortunate.”
Wabba said when the NLC officials got wind of the incidence and approached Abubakar Bello, commissioner of police, he said there was no casualty.
The NLC boss called on the police authority to fish out those responsible for the shooting or face a nationwide protest by the congress.
“The rules of engagement in such a situation must be adhered to as everybody around the world has a right to protest. These workers have a right under the law,” he said.
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