The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has asked the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to change the date of their planned solidarity protest scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in Abuja. The police said the advice was based on security concerns within the city.
The labour unions had earlier announced plans to stage a peaceful rally at the Federal Capital Development Authority in support of workers under the Joint Union Action Committee, who are on strike over unpaid salaries, promotion arrears, and poor working conditions. The NLC and TUC also instructed their affiliates and state councils in the FCT to mobilise members for full participation in the rally.
In a statement released on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said the command was aware of the planned protest and recognised the right of citizens to peaceful assembly. She, however, said intelligence reports available to the police showed that some groups, including banned organisations and other actors, were planning to infiltrate the rally and use it to cause unrest.
The police explained that the request to reschedule the protest was meant to protect residents, ensure free movement, and allow people to carry out their daily activities without fear or disruption. The command added that the move was also aimed at preventing a breakdown of law and order in the nation’s capital.
The protest is linked to an ongoing industrial action by workers of the FCT administration, which began on January 19 after a seven-day ultimatum to the authorities expired. The FCT administration had taken the matter to the National Industrial Court, which ordered the workers to return to work, but the labour unions accused the authorities of intimidation and insisted on standing by their members.
The police appealed to the organisers to consider public safety and cooperate by fixing a new date for the rally.
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