Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) were observed distributing biscuits and water to participants in the two-day hunger and hardship protest organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The protest saw police personnel ensure peace and order during the demonstration.
The protesters gathered at the Ikeja Bridge early on Tuesday to kick off the nationwide protest.
Mrs. Funmi Sessi, the Lagos State Chairman of the NLC, addressed the crowd and stated that the purpose of the protest was to address economic hardships.
As the demonstration progressed, police officers stationed at major junctions along the planned three-kilometer route engaged with protesters in a friendly manner, distributing biscuits and water.
Unconfirmed sources suggest that the Lagos State Police Commissioner, CP Fayoade Adegoke, provided the refreshments as a gesture to alleviate the economic challenges faced by citizens.
The unexpected act of kindness by the police has garnered commendation from many Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) embarked on their planned nationwide protest in Abuja on Tuesday despite warnings from the Department of State Services (DSS), the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and other agencies of the government.
News About Nigeria reported that the AGF had charged the organised labour to shelve the planned protests because embarking on them would be a breach of court process/contempt of court.
Also, the DSS had tasked the workers to call off the planned protests because embarking on the protest against a government that has just spent eight months in office is uncalled for.
They had also noted that embarking on the protests would spur anarchy against the government, which would eventually lead to unrest.
However, the organised labour led by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, on Tuesday kicked off the protest from the Labour House Headquarters in Abuja.
According to organised labour, the protests are due to the high cost of living, inflation, insecurity, and hardship currently bedevilling the nation.
Speaking to newsmen when the protest started, Ajaero explained that contrary to claims that there would be violence, their primary aim as workers is to embark on a peaceful protest to call the president’s attention to the current sufferings and their demands as a union.
