Kaduna teachers crisis: NLC, teachers defy police, protest mass

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and teachers sacked by the Kaduna State Government on Thursday defied the Police, as well as the State Governor Nasiru el – Rufai by taking to the streets to protest the mass sack.

President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba led thousands of members and teaches who had come from all parts of the country to converge on the capital of the defunct northern region. He handed over a letter to Governor el-Rufai amidst thousands of Nigerian workers who stormed the Government House in solidarity with the 21,780 teachers disengaged by the government.

Even though the governor was not physically present but he was represented by the Commissioner Information and Communication, Saidu Adamu who promised to deliver their letter to the governor.

Earlier, thousands of workers who converged on Kaduna from all over the country stormed the secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in preparation for a mega rally in the metropolis.

The police had on Wednesday warned the union to stay away from the state as their safety could not be guaranteed but in defiance, the NLC leadership stormed the major streets of Kaduna.

Carrying placards with different inscriptions, the workers were singing solidarity songs marched through independence way to Muhammad Buhari way to the Government House.

The police and other security operatives stationed at strategic locations were keeping watch of the proceedings apparently to maintain law and order.

It was learnt that as earlier as 6.30 am, the police had rolled out its tanks and deployed it’s men to every nook and cranny of the state capital.

Addressing, the workers, the NLC president, Comrade Wabba remarked that the governor must be called to order from embarking on dismissing about 36,000 workers in the state.

He stated that if needs be, the union will be coming to Kaduna every month to identify with the workers and halt any attempt by the governor to sack the teachers.

It will be recalled this was the second time in two months the union is coming on a solidarity protest over the dismissed teachers. The first was in November when the NLC leadership and members stormed the state House of Assembly leading to the vandalization in the House.

The government has since issued a warrant of arrest on those who vandalized the state House of Assembly.