Ekiti State Police Command
has banned workers in the
state from embarking on
street protest to demand
their outstanding salary
arrears and allowances.
The Police Commissioner,
Fredrick Lakanu, gave the
order on Wednesday in a
statement in Ado-Ekiti by the
Police Public Relations
Officer, Victor Babayemi.
The police boss said the ban
on protest became
necessary due to the
ongoing curfew in the state.
Workers had on Thursday
commnced indefinite strike
over their unpaid salaries
and allowances.
Lakanu said any protest
march in the state at the
moment “would pose serious
threat to the fragile peace in
the state.”
The statement read, “The
command is in receipt of an
intelligent report that civil
servants are planning to
embark on street protest in
the state to press home their
demand for the payment of
their outstanding salary
arrears and allowances.
“The Commissioner of Police,
CP Fredrick Lakanu, wishes
to inform the general public
that the command recognises
and will continue to respect
the people’s right to peaceful
assembly and protest.
“However, the present
situation in the state does
not allow for any form of
demonstration or procession.
More importantly, there is an
existing curfew in the state
that is yet to be rescinded.
“The commissioner,
therefore, enjoins the good
people of the state to refrain
from any form of protest or
procession under whatever
guise as it would pose
serious threat to the fragile
peace in the state.
“He equally warns that if this
appeal is not heeded, the
police shall use all necessary
lawful mechanism to bring
violators to book.”