Police Urge Labour Unions to Postpone Abuja Solidarity Rally Over Security Concerns

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has asked the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to shift the date of their planned protest in Abuja, citing security concerns ahead of the rally.

The labour unions had announced on Sunday that they would stage a peaceful solidarity march in the nation’s capital on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The rally was intended to show support for workers involved in an industrial dispute under the FCT administration.

According to the unions, the protest was scheduled to hold at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), with affiliates and councils directed to mobilise members for what they described as a lawful and peaceful action.

However, the police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said on Monday that intelligence reports available to the command indicated the rally could be infiltrated by groups seeking to hijack the protest and cause unrest.

While acknowledging the constitutional right of citizens to peaceful assembly, the police warned that proscribed groups such as the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and other non-state actors might exploit the gathering, posing threats to public safety and disrupting activities in the capital.

The command appealed to the organisers to reschedule the rally to a later date, stressing that the move would help prevent a breakdown of law and order, ensure freedom of movement and allow residents to go about their normal businesses without disruption.

The planned protest is linked to an ongoing dispute involving workers under the FCT administration, who began an indefinite strike on January 19, 2026, over unpaid salaries, promotion arrears and poor working conditions.

Following the strike, the FCT authorities approached the National Industrial Court, seeking an order to declare the action illegal and restrain workers from continuing. The court subsequently directed employees to return to work.

Labour unions, however, accused the authorities of intimidation and vowed to resist pressure aimed at forcing compliance with the court order.