DSS urges labour to forgo protest due to likely violence

Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services, has urged organised labour – the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress – to shelve their plan to protest on February 27 and 28.

Labour’s grouse is the economic challenges facing the country, accusing the government of not implementing earlier agreements.

Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, in a statement, said that the agency “is aware that some elements are planning to use the opportunity of the protest to foment crisis and by extension, widespread violence.”

“The development, without doubt, will worsen the socio-economic situation across the country,” the DSS added.

“It is common knowledge that all levels of government are striving to ameliorate the prevailing economic condition and as such, should be given a benefit of the doubt.

“So far, appropriate authorities are working assiduously with a spectrum of stakeholders to fashion out modalities to address the current difficulties. They should, therefore, be given the chance to handle the challenges at hand,” the DSS stated.