The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has advised the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to reschedule their planned protest in Abuja on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, citing security concerns and intelligence reports indicating a risk of infiltration by non-state actors.
The police said the planned rally, announced by organised labour in solidarity with striking workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, could be hijacked and pose a threat to public peace and safety in the nation’s capital.
The NLC and TUC had on Sunday announced plans to stage a peaceful solidarity rally in Abuja in support of FCTA workers, who commenced an indefinite strike on January 19 over unpaid salaries, promotion arrears and poor working conditions.
In response to the strike, the FCT authorities approached the National Industrial Court, which declared the industrial action illegal and ordered the workers to resume duty. Organised labour, however, accused the FCTA of intimidation and vowed to resist the court order.
In a joint statement signed by the NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, and the TUC Secretary General, N.A. Toro, the unions said the rally would hold at the Federal Capital Development Authority as a public demonstration of solidarity.
They directed all affiliates and state councils within the FCT to mobilise members for what they described as a lawful and peaceful protest.
However, in a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the command was aware of the planned protest and recognised citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly.
“The FCT Police Command is aware of a planned peaceful protest by the NLC FCT Council scheduled to hold tomorrow, Tuesday, 3rd February 2026, within the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement read.
“While the Command recognises and respects the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and protest, intelligence reports at the disposal of the police indicate plans by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria and other non-state actors to infiltrate and hijack the protest for purposes inimical to public peace and security.”
Adeh explained that the advisory was aimed at preventing a breakdown of law and order, protecting residents, and ensuring the unhindered conduct of lawful activities in the FCT.
“In view of the overriding interest of public safety, the Command respectfully appeals to the organisers to consider rescheduling the activity to a later date and time,” she added.
Court halts protest
Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja on Monday restrained the NLC, the TUC and three others from embarking on any form of industrial action or protest in the Federal Capital Territory.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim issued the interim order while ruling on an ex parte application filed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
The other parties restrained by the court are the NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah; the TUC Secretary General, N.A. Toro; and the Chairman of the FCT NLC, Stephen Knabayi.
The application, dated February 2, was filed pursuant to a suit marked NICN/ABJ/30/26 by James Onoja (SAN) on behalf of the FCT Minister and the FCTA.
After hearing the claimants, Justice Subilim granted an interim order restraining the 1st to 5th respondents, their agents or privies from embarking on any strike or protest pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
He also directed security agencies to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order in the FCT.
According to the claimants, the FCT NLC Chairman had circulated mobilisation messages for a mass protest scheduled for February 3, allegedly in violation of an earlier court order issued on January 27, 2026.
They told the court that despite being served with the interlocutory injunction restraining further industrial action, the unions allegedly directed workers to intensify the strike, citing an appeal filed by their counsel, Femi Falana (SAN).
The claimants further alleged that the Joint Unions Action Committee and the NLC FCT Council subsequently issued circulars directing workers to resume the strike and mobilise for a mass protest “with a view to causing chaos, breakdown of law and order, and disruption of governance” in Abuja.
The court adjourned the matter till February 10 for the hearing of the motion on notice.
Unions adamant
Despite the police advisory and the court order, organised labour insisted on Monday that the protest would go ahead as scheduled.
Responding to enquiries, the NLC National Spokesman said, “Sure, the rally will go ahead.”
When asked if the union was aware of the court ruling halting the protest, he said they had not been served. “No, not at all,” he said.
The unions maintained that the rally was lawful and aimed at drawing attention to the plight of FCTA workers, insisting that they would continue to resist what they described as anti-worker actions by the FCT authorities.
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