Police shoot Labour Protesters in Nasarawa, 1 killed, 3 Injured

The labour crisis in Nasarawa State took new heights yesterday as it turned sour as officers of the Police shot four workers at the gate of the Government House, Lafia.

According to Premium Times reports, one of the workers died, while three others, including a woman, received treatment for gunshot wounds at the hospital.

Workers in the north-central state had embarked on an indefinite strike following the decision of Gov. Umaru Al-Makura to slash their salary by 50 per cent.

According to NLC president Ayuba Wabba, the workers had gone to the government house to await the outcome of the meeting between labour and Gov Al-Makura.

Mr. Wabba said the dead victim was a staff of the state Ministry of Education, while the three others who sustained gunshot wounds included a staff of Doma Local Government Council, the Judicial Service Commission and a journalist with the defunct Nigerian Newsday, a state-owned media outfit.

“The workers were unarmed and peacefully protesting for their rights only to be shot at by policemen stationed at the government house gate.

“We do not know what prompted them to shoot at unarmed workers who were waiting for us to finish discussion with the state government over the issue of their emoluments.

“They were attacked with maximum force. You can see one dead, two critically injured. They were very peaceful, unfortunately the police, under whatever pretense opened fire. It is most unfortunate,” he said.

Mr. Wabba, who said the Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Bello had denied there was any casualty, threatened nationwide protest if the culprits were not fished out.

“The rules of engagement in such a situation must be adhered to as everybody around the world has a right to protest. These workers have a right under the law,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Bello, said he was yet to be briefed on the matter, but that his command would carry out full investigation.