By Joy Yesufu
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has advised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to reconsider and reschedule their planned protest in Abuja, citing security concerns.
The labour unions had announced plans to stage a peaceful solidarity rally on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to show support for affected workers.
In a joint statement issued on Sunday by NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, and TUC Secretary General, N. A. Toro, the unions directed their affiliates and state councils in the FCT to mobilise members for full participation in the protest, which they described as lawful and peaceful.
However, the FCT Police Command, in a statement on Monday by its Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said intelligence reports indicated that the protest could be infiltrated and hijacked by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and other non-state actors.
While acknowledging the constitutional right of citizens to peaceful assembly, the police warned that the planned rally posed potential risks to public peace and security within the capital.
“The FCT Police Command is aware of a planned peaceful protest by the NLC FCT Council scheduled to hold on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, within the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement read.
“While the Command recognises and respects the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and protest, intelligence reports available to 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.”
Adeh said the appeal to reschedule the protest was made in the overriding interest of public safety, adding that the move was also aimed at protecting residents’ freedom of movement and ensuring the uninterrupted conduct of lawful activities across the FCT.
“In view of the above, the Command respectfully appeals to the organisers of the planned protest to consider rescheduling the activity to a later date and time to forestall any breakdown of law and order,” she said.
The planned protest follows an indefinite strike embarked upon by workers of the FCT Administration on January 19 over unpaid salaries, promotion arrears and poor working conditions.
In response to the strike, the FCT authorities approached the National Industrial Court, seeking an order to restrain the unions from continuing the industrial action, which they described as illegal.
Although the court ordered the workers to resume duties, the NLC and TUC accused the FCT authorities of intimidation and vowed to resist what they described as attempts to suppress workers’ rights.
