NLC, TUC Give IG, Police Commission Ultimatum over Mbu

Abdulwaheed Omar, NLC President

Rivers State chapters of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, and the Police Service Commission to explain the continued stay of the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu, despite repeated calls for his redeployment. This is as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) warned Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to leave them alone and not to drag students into the  political crises.

The unions also expressed dissatisfaction over the continued closure of the Obio/Akpor Local 

Government Secretariat by the Police despite a court order for the security men to end their siege there.

In a statement jointly signed by the State Chairmen of NLC, Chris Oruge, and the TUC, Chika Onuegbu, yesterday in Port Harcourt, the unions vowed to embark on an indefinite strike if nothing was done to address the issues raised.

They also sought to know why Mbu has remained as the state Police Commissioner despite repeated calls for his redeployment, insisting that he should go to avert imminent industrial disharmony in the state.

While condemning the recent dispersing of newly employed teachers who had gathered at the Elekahia Stadium to receive their letters of posting, the unions said they were yet to get any reason for the action of the Police.