Police seal off Edo NLC Secretariat, block inauguration of Caretaker Committee

By Michael Kalu

Police operatives have sealed the Edo State secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), also known as the Adams Oshiomhole Labour House.

Also, the main gate of the University of Benin was beefed up with police personnel.Some suspected thugs were also seen loitering around the secretariat.A police armoured personnel carrier was deployed to the secretariat

The heavy security at the Labour House and the UNIBEN main gate were to bar inauguration of the Caretaker Committee of the Edo NLC.

But the inauguration held at another venue in Benin City and Prof. Monday Igbafen was sworn-in.

It was gathered that NLC leaders had gathered at the UNIBEN ASUU Secretariat for the inauguration but put it off due to security report.

Some NLC leaders from neighbouring states scheduled to attend the inauguration, at the Labour House, expressed regret that they could not access the secretariat.

Comrade Augustine Igben from the Maritime Workers Union said he was embarrassed when he was not allowed entry into the Edo Labour House.

He said: “I felt embarrassed about tbe whole thing. How can the police barricade the Labour House when there is no war. It is Labour issue. They should allow Labour settle the issues themselves.

“I ws not allowed entry. Where am I going to pass through.There were lots of security. I alsaw some civilians mixed up with them.”