Police operatives on Thursday, August 28, sealed off the Edo State secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), popularly known as the Adams Oshiomhole Labour House, and mounted heavy security at the main gate of the University of Benin.
An armoured personnel carrier was stationed at the Labour House, while suspected thugs were also sighted loitering around the premises. The move was reportedly aimed at preventing the inauguration of the Caretaker Committee of the Edo NLC.
Despite the blockade, the inauguration proceeded at an alternative venue in Benin City, where Prof. Monday Igbafen was sworn in as chairman.
It was gathered that NLC leaders had initially assembled at the UNIBEN ASUU Secretariat for the ceremony but postponed it due to heightened security concerns. Several labour leaders from neighbouring states, who were meant to attend the event at the Labour House, expressed frustration over being denied access.
Comrade Augustine Igben of the Maritime Workers Union described the development as embarrassing.
“I felt embarrassed about the whole thing. How can the police barricade the Labour House when there is no war? This is a Labour issue, and they should allow Labour to resolve it themselves.
“I was not allowed entry. Where am I supposed to pass through? There were lots of security personnel, and I also noticed some civilians mingling with them,” he lamented.
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