The Police Command of Ekiti State division has forbidden workers from putting up any kind of demonstration on the street in respect to their unpaid salaries.
This ban was contained in a statement from the state’s commissioner of Police, Fredrick Lakanu which was divulged on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 through the police public relations officer, Victor Babayemi Fredrick Lakanu, in Ado-Ekiti.
According to the statement, the ban was necessitated by the current curfew in the state.
It was learnt that on Thursday, October 2, 2014, workers in the state embarked on an indefinite strike action owing to the fact that the government has refused to pay them the allowances due to them.
The Police Commissioner noted that any protest in the state will disturb the relative peace being enjoyed in the state at the moment.
A part of the statement according to Vanguard 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 More importantly, there is an existing curfew in the state that is yet to be rescinded.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.”
