Pascal Arogorn Ibe
The Police Command in Cross River State has threatened to deal ruthlessly with the organized labour if they embark on its planned protest over the kidnap of their Chairman, Comrade Ben Ukpekpi.
In a press statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Irene Ugbo, titled “Planned Protest By The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Cross River State,” the command said it is aware of the “unscrupulous plans”.
Recall that organized labour in the state had given the government of Cross River State a 24-hour ultimatum, to provide Comrade Ukpekpi, State Labour Chairman, who was kidnapped three days ago at his residence in CrosPil Estate, Akpabuyo Local government area.
Reacting to the planned protest by the organized labour, the Police Command reacted thus; “Cross River State Police Command is aware of the unscrupulous plans by unguarded individuals to ignite the State’s fragile secured environment on the pretext of an arranged kidnap of the State NLC Chairman.
“The command while working earnestly to rescue the victim will not tolerate any distraction by these people who are likely to be fingered in committing this act to set the State ablaze to cover up their track.
“Any gathering based on this incident will not be taken lightly and there will be a total clampdown on the organizers. All good citizens are warned to go about their lawful businesses while we do all it takes to rescue the victim unhurt please,” the Police added.
The State Chairman of African Action Congress, Citizen Agba Jalingo in his reaction had this to say, “The Police in Calabar should stop threatening members of the NLC who plan to protest the kidnap of the Cross River Chairman, with arrest”.
“If an investigation is telling the Police that some members of the NLC were involved in the kidnap of their Chairman, Ben Ukpepi, like the Police are alleging, the Police should go after those involved quietly and stop threatening the Labour Union with a clampdown.
“We continue to maintain that protest is a right. It is not a crime. And no law says that, because some members of your union are allegedly involved in a crime, the rest of the members can no longer protest; unless the organization is proscribed and NLC is not.”
“So stop the threats,” Jalingo added.
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