Government Risks Major Protest, Benson Upah Warns, Condemns Police Commissioner’s Violent Crackdown On Peaceful Demonstration

The Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, has issued a stern condemnation of the Commissioner of the FCT Police Command, Compol Bennett Igweh, for his actions in violently disrupting a peaceful protest at Unity Fountain on Thursday, July 18, 2024. The protest was organised by members of two affiliates, NASU and SSANU, over the non-payment of their four-months withheld salaries.

In a statement, Upah expressed outrage and contempt for Igweh’s actions, highlighting the excessive force used by the police. Armored tanks, assault dogs, and police personnel in battle gear were deployed to break up the peaceful demonstration, a move Upah describes as an affront to the 1999 constitution (as amended), ILO Conventions 87 and 98, and the African Charter on People and Human Rights, all of which guarantee freedom of association and speech.

“This behavior is a violation of the Supreme Court ruling that citizens do not need police permits or approval to peacefully protest. It insults the dignity of self-respecting and law-abiding citizens,” Upah stated.

He warned that if Compol Igweh and those who directed him intend to intimidate workers lawfully protesting, they have misjudged their resolve. “We fought for this democracy, and we will not stand by and allow those with a colonial mindset to destroy it.

“We are concerned that officers like Compol Igweh who should be inspiring a new generation of officers away from the colonial traditions of policing are the ones leading the charge into the abyss. We want to assure him and his ilks that no one will bestow on him a medal for his unprofessional and disgusting behaviour.”

Upah criticised Igweh for failing to address the rampant crime in the FCT. “Instead of targeting bandits, criminals, and crooks, both in low and high places, Igweh focuses on peaceful workers. Under his watch, life has never been more frightening for law-abiding citizens in the heart of the city.”

He called for Igweh to seek guidance from his predecessors who successfully rid Abuja of crime while maintaining good relations with citizens.

Upah said, “Under Compol Igweh’s watch, FCT has been crawling with bandits, criminals and crooks (both in low and high places) even in the heart of the city. Life has never been this frightening for law-abiding citizens. Instead of training the turrets of his armoured tanks on these social misfits, it is peaceful workers that are his victims. Igweh does not need to go far for a refresher course on safe-guarding FCT. One of his predecessors who is now a DIG (who rid Abuja of crime and still related well with citizens) is only an ear-shot away at Louis Edet House.”

The peaceful protest by NASU and SSANU was in response to the government’s refusal to pay their salaries, despite other unions receiving payment for the same strike action. The unions had pursued all lawful means to address their grievances, including a warning strike, but the government’s continued inaction forced them to protest.

“Government’s failure to pay these salaries is not only a breach of tranquility in the university education environment but also a violation of the constitution, which prohibits discrimination against any citizen,” Upah emphasised. “If the government and police pride themselves on breaking the law, they lose all moral authority to expect good behavior from others.”

Upah demanded an immediate apology from the police to the NASU and SSANU members for their violation and called for the immediate payment of the withheld salaries. He warned that the government is courting a major national industrial protest if it continues to ignore these demands.

“Government will be courting a major national industrial protest if it continues to ignore our wise counsel,” Upah concluded.

Melissa Enoch 

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