Drama Engulfs Kaduna Workers’ Protests, El-Rufai Passes Wanted NLC President

The second day of the ongoing five day total strike in Kaduna was at midday enveloped with mid drama as the protesting workers staged a walk to the Government House in the heart of Kaduna city.

The protesting workers who were led by the national president of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba were attacked near the NEPA Roundabout by allegedly hired thugs who were fought off by the demonstrators helped by policemen.

Meanwhile, Comrade Ayuba who had been declared wanted by Governor Nasir El-Rufai with the promise of a handsome reward for information leading to his arrest passed within 100 meters of one another as the governor passed the protesters to approach the offices of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company.

The governor and his entourage apparently looked the other way as Wabba led his men on.

Meanwhile, the thugs, armed with knives, sticks and stones attacked the peaceful protesting workers at NEPA roundabout, Kaduna, but were quickly dispersed by security personnel deployed to protect the protesters.

One of the protesters, Mr Daniel John described the development as “very unfortunate”, adding that although no one was injured, they were forced to suspend the peaceful procession for the day.

“We were at NEPA roundabout and about to be addressed by our chairman, when the heavily armed thugs in their numbers arrived and began to wield knives and sticks while others threw stones at us.

“We were lucky security personnel were with us, who engaged the thugs and managed to disperse them and arrest some of them,” he said.

Another protester, Fatima Abdulhamid, thanked the police and other security personnel for displaying high level of professionalism by quickly responding to the threat and overrunning the thugs.

Earlier, the NLC Chairman in the state, Mr Ayuba Suleiman said that the labour unions were committed to the principle of dialogue and social bargaining for the benefit of disengaged workers in the state.

NAN reports that the labour unions had on Monday began a five-day warning strike over the sack of government workers by the Kaduna State Government.

Suleiman had earlier on Sunday, assured workers and the general public of their commitment to maintain peace in Kaduna during the strike action.

He also alerted the general public to watch out for thugs who were allegedly recruited to disrupt the peace in order to blame the labour unions. (NAN)

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