NLC Strike: Police Take Over Abia SSG, HoS Offices

Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force on Thursday took over the offices of the Secretary to Abia State Government and Head of Service in Umuahia.

The officers were said to have been dispatched to maintain law and order following the ongoing strike by members of the Nigerian Labour Congress in the state.

Gates to the SSG and HoS offices which are adjacent to Abia State Government House, were blocked by men of Nigeria Labour Congress who were protesting alleged selective payment of workers’ salaries by the state government.

NLC chairman in the state, Paschal Nweke had on Wednesday advised all civil servants to remain at home to press home NLC’s demands, saying that the strike the union embarked upon had not been called off.

He had alleged that the state government backed down on agreements it had with labour leaders which necessitated the continuation of the strike.

Though the NLC boss confirmed that some workers had received salaries, he lamented that the state government allegedly hand-picked some offices and persons for payment while leaving others without pay.

But the State government last weekend, said it had fulfilled its promises to pay the workers.

Daily Post reports that gates to the SSG and HoS offices were still locked with big padlocks as of the time of this report.