Nigerians continue to demonstrate against the elimination of fuel subsidies by the federal government. There has been a general strike since January 9, 2012., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Foreign airlines suspend operations to Nigeria over strike
Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:00
By Wole Shadare
Nigerian Guardian
FOLLOWING the on-going nationwide strike, some foreign airlines may have suspended operations in the country pending when the crisis is resolved.
Already, KLM Airlines said it had stopped operations to Nigeria because it could no longer guarantee the safety of its crew and equipment.
Spokesman for Air France-KLM, Mrs. Funmi Ojesina in a chat with The Guardian said that the carrier had suspended operations for now until safety could be guaranteed.
Also, Lufthansa which had earlier suspended its operations on Tuesday said, “we expect flight operations to restart on Thursday (today). That is outbound leaving each from Lagos and Abuja to Frankfurt. For inbound, we expect flights to come in by tomorrow.
A source who pleaded anonymity said the airlines were equally concerned with the quality of air traffic control that is being handled by insufficient workers and could not risk the consequence of an accident.
They may have taken the decision on the heels of the attack of Ethiopian Airways crew on Tuesday as they were turned back to their hotels, leading to cancellation of the flight.
For British Airways, the airline was unable to operate its 10 a.m. flight to London from Abuja until midnight, while its Lagos operations went on smoothly because the airline operated at 12 midnight, beating the 7a.m. to 7p.m. that the airports in Lagos and Abuja are closed to traffic.
Country Manager, British Airways, Mr. Kola Olayinka said most of their passengers are lodged in hotels in Abuja, adding that the strike was taking enormous toll on their operations.
Spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic Airways, Mrs. Wuraola Oduntan said protesters got into the terminal building of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and stopped all the airlines’ staff from checking-in their passengers.
Just like on Tuesday, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos was deserted. Save for few passengers that turned up for their flights which never operated, the airport was devoid of its usual bustle and hustle nature.
Virgin Atlantic Airways, Emirates, Arik Air, Ethiopian, Air France and KLM which hitherto thought they would be allowed to operate, were disappointed when the industry unions prevented them from checking in passengers for flights outside the country.
PENGASSAN threatens to shut in production .
Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:00 From Kelvin Ebiri, (Port- Harcourt), Kamal Tayo Oropo, (Lagos), Chido Okafor , (Warri) with agency report
Nigerian Guardian
Ex-militants, NBA fault fuel subsidy removal
AS the nationwide strike over fuel subsidy removal rages, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has threatened to shut down crude oil production.
Meanwhile, former Niger Delta militants yesterday in Sapele, Delta State, faulted the hike, threatening to bomb oil facilities in the Niger Delta.
In the same vein, the Sapele branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday faulted the removal of fuel subsidy and urged a reversal to N65 per litre.
With the government and unions locked in a showdown which has paralysed the country for three days, PENGASSAN said it would make a decision later in the day, although industry officials doubted it could shut down crude oil exports completely.
“We are not on the streets today because by the evening ... the national leadership of the oil workers will announce its decision on when to shut down production as well as export terminals”, national industrial relations officer of PENGASSAN Chika Onuegbu told Reuters.
A definite decision to strike had yet to be made, but he added: “That will mark the beginning of the next phase of the protest against the removal of fuel subsidy and it will be very disastrous for the country.”
Also , PENGASSAN’s Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) branch has backed the strike.
In a statement issued at the end of an emergency branch executive committee meeting at Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT) yesterday, they agreed to support the on-going strike, adding that actions should be stepped up to make government respect the wishes of the people.
Also former Petroleum Minister, Professor Tam David-West has supported the threat by PENGASSAN to shut in oil production over fuel subsidy removal. David-West told The Guardian yesterday that the current industrial action by labour and protest by aggrieved Nigerians if not addressed would have grave consequence for the government and the stability of the country.
He charged oil workers to immediately embark on strike by shutting in oil production as a means of mounting more pressure on the government to yield to the yearning of Nigerians that the pump price of petrol should be reverted to N65 per litre
Oil industry officials said a complete halt to oil exports was unlikely because processes are automated as some workers are non-unionised.
However, even a small dent in output would heap pressure on President Goodluck Jonathan’s government, which relies on crude exports for 95 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and most of its states’ revenue.
Economists say the subsidy would soon have bankrupted the country. Its removal has more than doubled the petrol price to N141 per litre, depriving Nigerians of what many regarded as their only welfare benefit.
The government estimated it would save one trillion naira this year by eliminating the subsidy, freeing up money for roads, railways and poverty alleviation.
The ex-militants under the aegis of Niger Delta Revolution Force for Peace (NDRFP) led by Babatunde Omatseye said yesterday in Sapele, that they reached the decision after its meeting at Eghoro Camp, Warri North Council, Delta State.
The lawyers who protested in major streets in Sapele condemned President Goodluck Jonathan’s action, describing it “as unfair, unwarranted, dehumanising and retrogressive to the masses of Nigerian nation’’.
Chairman of Sapele NBA branch, Mr. Dennis Ugbong, said the removal of the fuel subsidy “at a time Nigerians were experiencing economic hardship shows that the executive arm of government was insensitive.”
The executive committee consequently declared that: “It shall, effective Friday, January 13, 2012, if government does not act, in line with the demand of Nigerian people, pull out all its members including those on offshore production facilities, thereby maintaining zero production operations.”
Nationwide protests intensify, as Christian, Muslim clerics join
Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:00 From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Ado Ekiti) and Tunde Akinola (Lagos)
Nigerian Guardian
THE industrial action against the Federal Government’s insistence on the removal of petrol subsidy entered the third day yesterday as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other labour unions vowed to make the protest a protracted one if the fuel price is not reverted back to N65 a litre.
The Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Park in Ojota, Lagos was besieged by a mammoth crowd including notable human rights activists and artistes of international repute.
Although the park was the point of convergence, there were still peaceful protests on the streets of Lagos.
Speaking at the rally yesterday, convener of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare, commended the peaceful manner in which the protest has been observed all along, and encouraged the protesters to maintain the peaceful order.
The cleric stressed that the Federal Government cannot be sincere in the removal of fuel subsidy because it was the same way the subsidy on diesel and aviation fuel has been removed for over seven years without nothing to show for it. He urged Nigerians to stand up and defend their rights to good governance because sovereignty lies in the people.
Meanwhile, members of the immediate family of the late Yoruba leader, Senator Abraham Adesanya have described the removal of oil subsidy as “punishment for the Nigerian people.”
Speaking in Lagos yesterday on behalf of the family, the first son of the late Senator, Adebayo Adesanya was of the view that “the government should have tackled the saboteurs who did not allow the refineries to work rather than transfer their punishment to us.”
According to him, the palliatives the government is now reeling out is tantamount to putting the cart before the horse, saying: “What was expected of the government was putting the refineries in order to ensure they function in full capacity before removing the subsidy.”
In a related development, some Christian leaders and their Muslim counterparts yesterday joined the labour movements and youths in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, to protest against the removal of petrol subsidy.
The clerics urged the protesters not to give up but continue with the strike until government bows to their demands because sovereignty lies with the people.
While addressing the rally a Muslim cleric, Alhaji Ganiyu Suleiman, called on religious leaders to mobilise their followers for the
Protest, saying, “whatever affects the masses also affects us as religious leaders.”
On his part, representative of Bishop Felix Ajakaye of the Catholic Diocese of
Ekiti, Rev. Fr. Raphael Borisade berated Nigerian leaders for not being sincere and transparent.
“There is no way they could participate in this protest because everything they do is official and it is we the poor masses that pay even for their official duties. They have disappointed us in every sphere of life,” he said.
Soldiers Move in as Rioters Burn INEC Office in Minna
12 Jan 2012
Nigeria ThisDay
By Onyebuchi Ezeigbo and Aisha Wakaso
Day Three of the nationwide strike and protests against the withdrawal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government turned out to be a violent one as rioters burnt down the Minna, Niger State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Soldiers were called in as the rioters also burnt the campaign office of Governor Babangida Mua’zu Aliyu and killed a police inspector who was said to be appealing to them not to carry out their action. He was stoned to death.
The convoy of Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Iliyasu Bashar, ran into the protesters who mistook him for the Kebbi State Governor Saidu Dakingari and attacked his vehicles. No one was injured.
Obviously reacting to the reports of violence across the country, the Federal Government yesterday warned protesters that they would face the law.
A statement signed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, read: “It has come to the attention of the government that some persons or group of persons are perpetuating criminal activities under the guise of participating in the on-going demonstration against the subsidy removal policy of the government.
“Since the demonstration began on Monday, 9th January 2012, these persons have among other things engaged in arson, wanton destruction of lives and property, as well as making unguarded statements bordering on treason with a view to overwhelming the government. As a result, several state governors have imposed curfew in their respective states in order to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
“While government recognises the right of Nigerians to peaceful demonstration, it will not fold its arms or stand idly by, while the current situation deteriorates into a state of general insecurity.
Henceforth, government will not hesitate to bring to bear, the full weight of the law on erring persons or group of persons howsoever called that engage in any act that threatens the peace and stability of the country or its corporate existence.
“Government reiterates its earlier position that those who have genuine grievances as a result of the implementation of the fuel subsidy removal should express such grievances within the confines of the law and dispute resolution mechanisms as established by law.”
After killing the policeman in Minna, the rioters also burnt 10 cars and smashed the windscreens of 15 Hilux Pick-up trucks parked at the INEC premises before setting the office ablaze.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Richard Oguche (ASP), said: “It is true we lost one Inspector to the hoodlums at INEC. For now, I don’t know and I cannot give details of victims. All I know is that we lost one Inspector at INEC office.”
Also at Democracy Garden along Ketegwari Road, the rioters destroyed the garden before invading the old secretariat where parked vehicles were damaged.
Another group of rioters that stormed the Minna office complex of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) along the Old Airport Road burnt eight vehicles in the complex, while the neighbouring office complex belonging to Niger State Development Company was also torched.
Reports from Bosso in Bosso Local Government Area of the state also said that the house of the Special Adviser to the governor on Security Matters, Honourable James Bitachi, was vandalised.
Following this massive destruction, the state government imposed a 24-hour curfew in all the 25 local government areas.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Daniel Shashere, yesterday.
“Miscreants and hoodlums have decided to take the laws into their hands by creating burn fires on the streets of Minna and torching public and private properties.
“Following this ugly development, government has a responsibility to protect lives and property and therefore decided to impose 24 hours curfew with immediate effect in all the 25 local government areas of the state.
“Only persons on essential services who should carry proper identification are exempted from this order. Other citizens are warned to stay indoors until further notice,” he said.
The situation in Minna forced the state government to call for armed soldiers to take over some strategic areas of the state capital.
A team of armed soldiers were also detached to the Government House, while the major roads leading to the governor’s residence are being manned by a combined team of soldiers, policemen and State Security Service (SSS).
The residence of Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta would have gone down in flames too but for the timely intervention of some of his neighbours.
The two cars and a motorcycle parked in front of the senator's house were set on fire.
Also torched was the Constituency Office of Hon. Jumai Jafaru-Mariga along Bosso Road.
At about 11am, gunshots were heard along the Bosso Road - a stone throw to the Government House, while similar gunshots were reported in Chanchaga and Kpakungu areas of the state capital.
Some of the protesters blamed their actions on the radio and television announcement made by the Head of Service, Ibrahim Matane, directing civil servants to return to work.
Speaking with the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Yahaya Ndako, he dissociated the congress from the activities of the rioters.
Meanwhile, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has blamed the Federal Government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for employing tactics to divide the ranks of labour, civil society and their opposition party allies in order to scuttle the popular uprising.
The National Secretary of CPC, Alhaji Buba Galadima, said Wednesday in a telephone interview with THISDAY that no amount of coercion or blackmail could stop the protest except government agrees to reverse the pump price of fuel and engage the people on how to tackle corruption and inefficiency in governance.
“This is the normal tactics used by the PDP-led Federal Government to try to break the ranks of the opposition and also to coerce members of the organised labour to abandon their protest against unpopular policy,” he said.
Galadima said government must know that the fuel subsidy protest had now gone beyond labour union issue and that every Nigerian is affected by the measure.
He said CPC members are Nigerians and as such should be concerned by any issue that affects the well-being of the people.
He also said that the CPC as an opposition party has the right to show solidarity with the people when their interest are being hurt.
“CPC members are Nigerians. There is nothing wrong if the party decides to use the opportunity of public demonstration and protests against unpopular policies to gain power,” he said.
However, Galadima said it is not true that CPC or the opposition has hijacked the protest as was being alleged by government but that party members had joined in the demonstrations as Nigerians.
“We have gone beyond labour and it is no longer within the powers of labour leaders alone to stop the protest. Federal Government must have to revert to the original pump price of fuel. It has to also be ready to discuss other issues relating to corruption and how best the subsidy money would be utilised,” he added.
Crowds Increase as Protest Enters Day 4
12 Jan 2012
By Our Correspondents
Nigeria ThisDay
The ongoing strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to protest the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government was bolstered Wednesday by large crowds in some states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The protesters marched through the popular Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Way and converged on Area 1, Garki Junction.
Buoyed by the mammoth crowd, some of the key figures of the struggle warned the Federal Government to heed the voice of reason and reverse its decision on fuel subsidy.
Speaking at the venue, the Country Director; ActionAid in Nigeria, Dr. Hussaini Abdu, echoed the message that they would not give up until the government reverts to the status quo.
However, both human and vehicular traffic also increased in most parts of the city at Zuba, Kubwa, Gwarimpa, Mabushi, Jabi and Berger areas.
In Kano, two top Kano politicians, Gen. Lawal Jafaru Isa and the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo, joined a mammoth crowd at the historic Groundnut Pyramid venue of yesterday’s rally to protest in the state.
The Federal Government Secretariat along Katsina Road remained locked, while other government establishments complied with labour’s appeal for them to stay away from duty.
But in a spirited move to shore up support for President Goodluck Jonathan, a non-government organisation, Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), organised a rally at the Samson Siasia Sport Complex Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, and marched to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The IYC asked labour leaders in the state to prevail on the national leadership of the NLC and TUC to negotiate with the Federal Government on palliatives and stop the wanton destruction of lives and properties in the country.
While Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa equally accused those he called “overzealous elements” for cajoling underage children in Kaduna metropolis to hijack the protest against the removal of fuel subsidy.
In a broadcast to the citizens of the state, Yakowa said it was unfortunate that the good intentions of the labour unions regarding the removal of fuel subsidy were taken over by those with a hidden agenda.
In Oyo State, the anger against the removal of fuel subsidy in Ibadan has deepened with the take-over of several flash points in the mass rally by miscreants.
The organised labour and civil rights groups however continued their march on Ibadan streets with a rally at Idi-Odo Challenge, where speakers after another urged the people of the state to be united in their opposition to the subsidy removal.
But Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has advised youths to eschew violence while expressing their grievances against the removal of fuel subsidy.
He said: “If you burn tyres on the road, the road will be destroyed and government will have to use your money to repair them again.”
His Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, insisted that the people of the state would strengthen their doggedness and entrepreneurship to survive the pains of the hike in fuel price occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal.
He said this while addressing commercial transport operators, bus and taxi drivers at the Hero’s Square, New Owerri Wednesday.
The development in Delta State was different as hoodlums infiltrated the procession of protesters by running ahead of the procession to harass unsuspecting passersby and dispossessing some people of their GSM handsets and other valuables.
At least four of the hoodlums were arrested by security personnel on patrol along the Warri-Effurn-Sapele Road after they were caught by the mob and were about to be lynched.
Although, government and many private offices, schools as well as numerous business outlets remained under lock and key, human and vehicular traffic had generally increased steadily in Warri and adjoining areas like Effurun, Udu, Sapele and Okpe.
Protesters in some locations in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State resorted to extorting money from members of the public.
But the protest attracted more participation of the people than the previous days, just as more barricades were erected and more bonfires made as the protesters trooped out in large numbers.
In Edo State, Governor Adams Oshiomhole vowed to deal with politicians and criminals who hide under the guise of the removal of fuel subsidy to foment trouble in the state.
Oshiomhole issued the threat when he addressed the Arewa community at Aduwawa, Eyean and Esigie in Benin-City Wednesday.
Reacting to the violent protests and attacks on some innocent people in the state capital, Governor Oshiomhole said: “You don’t have to be afraid. We are ready to deal with any criminal. Anybody who is planning to foment trouble will be dealt with squarely, because politicians have hijacked this protest. They want to create problems.”
Reports from Enugu State indicate that members of organised labour and civil society organisations who attempted to protest clashed with the police at the entrance of the state secretariat of the NLC.
In Abia State, organised labour was thrown into disarray following an attempt by the state chairman of the NLC, Comrade Sylvanus Eye, to call off the planned rally against the removal of fuel subsidy.
He managed to escape being lynched by irate workers who accused him of selling out to government.
Eye had on Tuesday after a series of meetings with leaders of trade unions and market unions in the state announced that the rally would hold on the third day of the national strike but when the workers assembled at the Urban Primary School along School Road Umuahia the labour leader changed tune.
A number of patients at the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital (BMH), Port Harcourt, owned by the Rivers State Government, were discharged from the hospital just as the Emergency, Casualty and Labour wards of the hospital were shut.
THISDAY gathered that the entrance to the hospital was locked as the state chapter of the TUC and the NLC directed all their affiliates in the state to continue to enforce the strike and monitor compliance.
Protesters in Kwara State have vowed to press on with their action until the Federal Government reverts to the N65 per litre.
And workers in Sokoto State remained at home Wednesday, despite the threat by the Federal Government to implement its 'no work, no pay' policy on its workforce.
THISDAY checks in the Sokoto metropolis revealed that virtually all public and private offices were closed.
However, the protest in Lokoja, Kogi State turned violent as protesters clashed with the police, leaving a boy and a police officer badly injured.
Trouble started when tribal sentiment was introduced with some of the protesters alleging that Igbo traders were beginning to open and operate their shops at the detriment of the indigenes that kept on with the protest.
Revert to N65 Senate tells Jonathan
On January 11, 2012 · In Headlines | 2:41 am..
By Our Reporters
Nigeria Vanguard
ABUJA—The Senate, yesterday, joined the House of Representatives in asking President Goodluck Jonathan to revert fuel pump price to N65 per litre. In a closed door session, the senators urged the Senate President, Senator David Mark to convey the message of the upper chamber to President Jonathan within 24 hours.
This came as the nationwide protest called by the organised labour against the removal of subsidy on petrol which commenced on Monday was hijacked on its second day by hoodlums in Ogun, Kaduna, Oyo and Edo states even as the Nigeria Labour Congress vowed that the protests will continue indefinitely until the Federal Government reverts the pump price of petrol to N65.
The Federal Government also yesterday declared that it was still ready for dialogue with organised labour, saying that “the option of dialogue is still open”, as it cautioned the security agencies against the use of force against protesters.
In Abeokuta, miscreants yesterday hijacked the protest rally held in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital against the removal of fuel subsidy and allegedly molested and extorted money from people in the state capital.
The Police commissioner in the state, Nicholas Nkedeme was not spared by the hoodlums who barricaded various places within the metropolis when his cars were stopped, while some policemen escaped being lynched by the angry mob. The lucky policemen were said to had been stopped by some protesters along Abiola way and attempted to descend on them before the Area commander identified as Oyekunle Adegboyega pleaded with them before the mob allowed them to go. The Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi while commenting on the activities of the miscreants, during a radio programme,said, ‘even the police commissioner was stopped , but until we pleaded with them before we were allowed to pass” .
“So the agitators should be reasonable and objective in their protests. Those who are violent, I think the law will take its course on them. “Obstruction of traffic like that is out of the context.” In a similar development, there was a heavy bonfire few metres away from the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s corporate office in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital. The Office located along Quarry Road, Ibara and tagged Agbeloba House is the headquarters of the Obasanjo Farms Holding (OBH) Limited. Youths made bonfires with used tyres and some woods to make the busy road, about 200 metres and which is also about 1000 metres from the family house of the Ogun state governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun impassable.
Curfew imposed in Oyo, Kaduna
It was a similar story in Kaduna as miscreants attempted to hijack the peaceful protests and clashed with the security forces which led to the killing of a 23-year-old Abdulgafar Mohammed Hadis.
An eye witness told newsmen that Hadis was shot on the head at Enugu Road, Old Panteka as youths went on rampage to condemn the increase in petrol price.
According to him, the deceased was rushed to Biba Hospital, Tudun Wada, from where he was later referred to 44 Army Reference Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
“While the soldiers were asking the protesters to calm down, near the Government House, the policemen came and started firing tear gas cannisters at them. Shortly after this, they started shooting at us with live bullets. One of their bullets hit the young Hadis on his head. The boys wanted to get to Government House and protest”.
There was tension in the state in the evening as Air Force and police helicopters hovered all over the metropolis following false rumours that Muslim youths were attacking Christians in some parts of the town.
Former Military Administrator of Kaduna State, Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd) coordinated the protest. At the Waff Road, hundreds of youths however threw stones at police patrol vans and motorcycles, destroying their head lamps in some cases just as the police responded by throwing cannisters of tear gas at them just as some of them shot into the air to disperse them.
The demonstrators were occasionally supplied with bread and sachet water which were brought to them in Jeeps without number plates.
The same situation was reported within a radius of 500m from the Sir Ibrahim Kashim Government House, Kaduna before they were ordered to return to the Luggard Hall Round About which is the only place earmarked for the protests.
A statement issued by Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Bala M. Nasarawa said:
“We have realised that the strike over the removal of subsidy has been hijacked by persons other than those committed to the cause. The demonstration which began yesterday peacefully, today turned violent. People were harassed, intimidated, and installations vandalised. In view of this unfortunate situations, the Kaduna state security council has no choice than to impose a 24 hour curfew in Kaduna metropolis and its environs wit effect from 9pm today (Tuesday) 10th January 2012. This measure becomes imperative in order to safeguard lives and property of innocent citizens. Government is urging all citizens of the state to remain calm, lawful and stay at home until further notice."
…Also in Oyo
Also in Oyo State, the state government resolved to impose curfew when the protests were getting out of hand. The curfew which was declared yesterday was imposed on the state from 7pm to 7am.
The Secretary to the State government, Alhaji Akin Olajide in a statement said the curfew was with immediate effect. According to the statement, the curfew became necessary to protect the security and lives of the people of the state.
The government noted that some hoodlums and miscreants, under the sponsorship of some politicians, had been hiding under the present anti-fuel subsidy removal protest to threaten the security of the state, especially at night.
On the first day of the strike, some of the government property in Ibadan North West Local Government were destroyed by some miscreants who mixed with protesters.
To checkmate destruction of property and protect lives, the government explained it had to declare the curfew.
It noted further that government had instructed security agencies in the state to apprehend and prosecute anyone who contravened the curfew.
“While the government appreciates the rights of the citizens to protest, the protection of lives and property of citizens is imperative,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, some protesters numbering about 2,500 yesterday forced a popular radio broadcaster in Oyo state, Kola Adegoke to join them in the protest.
Kola Ladoke who broadcasts for Splash FM, was held hostage at Olomi area of the city.
He said, “Some of them said that if they delay me and prevented me from being heard on my radio programme, it will go a long way to tell the government how embittered they are to the oil subsidy removed from petroleum products.
The protests in Ibadan were more serious than the first day of the strike.
Unlike the Monday when some commuters could still meander and take alternative road, all roads including the local ones were barricaded yesterday.
At Eleyele, a water tanker of the Nigerian Army was delayed for some irate youth who were playing football on the major road.
The driver of the truck had to plead with them before they allowed him to pass.
Most of the roads were deserted and blocked by the youth. Some commercial motorcyclists popularly called okada riders were turned back.
Police go tough in Edo
Also the Edo State Police Command has directed all police officers of the command to deal decisively with any body found to be blocking the roads, making bonfires and attacking innocent and law abiding citizens of the state.
In a statement personally signed by the state commissioner of police, David Omojola, he said the directive was to give full effect to the stay at home directive issued by the state councils Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), adding that it was to check further deterioration of the security situation in the state.
He warned parents and guardians not to allow their children or wards to be used to foment trouble, as any caught in the act will be treated as a common criminal and dealt with appropriately.
The statement regretted that Monday protest in the state witnessed violence, looting, arson and attacks on persons, which were not in consonance with the Labour movement.
Protests to continue indefinitely —Omar
The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Abudulwaheed Omar yesterday declared the protest would be sustained and continue until the federal government reversed the pump price of petrol to N65 per litre.
He spoke at a rally held at the AP Plaza/Chicken House Junction along Adetokumbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II of the federal capital.
The decision to halt the procession at that point did not go down well with many of the protesters, especially the youths among them as they insisted that they must march on the Eagle Square.
Omar’s address was interrupted several times by youths chanting “Eagle Square”, while others chanted that they must march straight on Aso Rock Villa and chase away President Goodkuck Jonathan from office.
“We have superiors as I heard you asking us to proceed to the Eagle Square, we must make sure we follow instructions and procedures, you have fulfilled your own part by bringing more people today.
“We will continue to come out everyday until government reverts this obnoxious price back to N65 per litre. They have been calling us to call off this strike but we will do that under only one condition, which is to revert to N65. This strike has recorded a huge success as international radi stations have been broadcasting to the world”, Omar said.
The President General of the TUC, Com Peter Esele also tried hard to dissuade the protesters from marching on Eagle Square.
His words: “Let me ask you a question, our marching out to Eagle Square will it make any difference?
“Another question, did anybody contribute money for this rally? Did we give any of you money to come here? We are here because of the increase in N65 per litre of fuel.. This is the only thing in Nigeria that two presidents are presiding over two protests.
“As we protest, it is our responsibility to ensure that no life is lost and if we even march to President Jonathan, it will not make any difference. Yesterday we counted over 20,000 protesters but today [Tuesday], we have recorded over 40,000 protesters and by tomorrow you will bring 100,000 protesters do you promise? “Yes, protesters chorused”. You are our source of inspiration and we are drawing strength from you”.
The protesters who started out at the popular Berger Junction sailed through Herbert Macauley Way, Kashim Ibrahim Way, Aminu Kano Crescent to Ibrahim Babangida Way to arrive at the rally venue which was the same point where NLC and other labour leaders addressed the protesters on the first day.
Numbering several thousands, the protesters generally conducted themselves peacefully. They were escorted by 12 civilian Power Bike Outriders, heavily armed security officers in mufti and four pick-up vans fully loaded with stern-looking soldiers.
The Minister of Youth Development and Acting Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi observed that the excessive use of force by some security agents which has led to the death of few young Nigerians and caused injuries to some others is very unfortunate and regrettable.
In a statement signed in Abuja by the Special Assistant to the minister on media, Julius Ogunro, the minister noted that the right to protest is fundamental in a democracy therefore the Police and other security agents have a responsibility to protect this right.
Oil workers threaten to shut upstream production
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, yesterday threatened to shut down the upstream sector of the oil industry should President Jonathan continue to pay deaf ears to the cries of Nigerians.
This came as Labour accused the Presidency of importing former militants and other armed thugs from neighbouring states into Abuja under the banner of “PDP Transformation Movement”, attack and main anti-subsidy removal protesters, declaring that labour had concluded plans to report President Jonathan and Inspector General of Police, IGP, Affiz Ringim to the International Criminal Court, ICC, for the Monday killing of armeless protesters in the country.
Labour and Civil Society Coalition, LASCO, umbrella body for Labour and its civil society allies that is coordinating the strike and mass protest, warned that from today, the ongoing strike and mass action would take a new dimension if government refused to address Nigerians’ demand.
Fuel subsidy strike: Dialogue window still open—FG
THE Federal Government yesterday declared that it is still ready for a dialogue with organised labour over industrial face-off following the removal of fuel subsidy by the government, saying that “the option of dialogue is still open”.
Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr Emeka Wogu, who spoke to State House correspondents after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, in Aso Rock, said “I think each side is exploring the need to talk”.
He said: “When I said that the option of dialogue is till open, it implied that we are exploring that option and labour is equally that option. I don’t believe in putting one as a senior partner and the other as a junior partner. In this issue, there are three senior partners within the doctrine and principle of tripartism; the NLC/TUC on one side representing the trade union, government on one side because it could be government at the federal level or state. Then the employers consultative association, NECA”.
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