NLC Carpets Police IG over Teargassing of Anti-Buhari Protesters

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned in strong terms Tuesday’s resort to teargasing and forceful dispersal of anti-Buhari protesters in Abuja on the orders of Ibrahim Idris, the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The labour union in a statement by Peter Ozo-Eson, its general secretary, stated that the harsh treatment meted to the peaceful protesters by the police constituted a violation of their rights which are guaranteed in the Nigerian constitution.
The protesters were led by popular Nigeria musician, Charles Oputa popularly known as Charlie Boy. The protest was to demand for the immediate return of ailing President Muhammadu Buhari’s to Nigeria or resignation from office. Buhari had been on medical trip to London over three months, for an undisclosed ailment.
“The use of water cannons, tear gas and other offensive means by the police to disperse peacefully protesting citizens against the absence of our President is condemnable. The right to peaceful protest is guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended). This right has been affirmed by the courts of the land.
What was expected of the police, who have relatively done well with regards to public protests in recent times, was to sit it out with these protesters.
The resort to violent dispersal is not only a violation of the rights of the protesters and norms of civilised behaviour but a smirch on the  record of IGP Ibrahim Idris who during his oath of office had assured Nigerians that the Police Force under his watch would police in line with democratic culture.”
According to the NLC, the unnecessary violence by the police has unwittingly put the discourse of the protesters demands in the public domain. It further described it as a “throw-back to the dark era of police force when they trampled on the rights of the citizenry considered to be in opposition to the government of the day.”
The NLC called on the inspector general of police to respect the fundamental right of citizens to freely assemble and peacefully protest, irrespective of the subject matter of such actions.

“It is important they respect the rights of the citizenry and not abridge them at will. It is important to note that poor handling of a small situation could degenerate. The police should do all that is necessary to avoid this in our national interest,” the union said.

Source: http://www.businessdayonline.com/nlc-carpets-police-ig-teargassing-anti-buhari-protesters/