NLC vs NSCDC: Labour Rejects Threats, Insists On Shutting Down Telcos Over Tariff Hike

NLC vs NSCDC: Labour Rejects Threats, Insists On Shutting Down Telcos Over Tariff Hike

The Lagos State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Funmi Sessi, has dismissed warnings from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) regarding its planned nationwide protest against the 50% increase in telecom tariffs…….READ MORE 

The NLC had earlier announced that it would shut down telecommunications operations across the country on March 1 if the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) failed to reverse the tariff hike by the end of February.

However, the NSCDC, through its spokesperson Babawale Afolabi, warned against any disruption of telecom services, stating that security operatives had been deployed to base stations to prevent unlawful activities. The agency insisted that any interference could jeopardize national security and expose the country to criminal activities.

“The NSCDC commandant-general has instructed all state commandants to maintain 24-hour surveillance around telecom infrastructure. Nationwide deployments of officers, including intelligence operatives, have also been arranged to safeguard critical national assets,” Afolabi said.

In a strong rebuttal, Sessi declared that the Labour Congress would not be intimidated.

“No one can threaten us – absolutely no one! This is about our collective wealth and rights. The Civil Defence officers are simply doing their jobs, but they have no authority to dictate to us. If necessary, we will even shut down the power supply! Who are they to tell us otherwise?” she stated.

She further accused security forces of attempting to silence workers through intimidation.

“They can threaten all they want, but we will not back down. We know the struggle we fight for. How many people can the soldiers kill? Even the police must remember to remain civil because they cannot eliminate us all,” she added.

The ongoing standoff between the NLC and security agencies adds tension to the planned protest, as Nigerians await further developments.