The President, United Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC), Joe Ajaero, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to direct Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to call his men to order.
He said it appeared that security agents, especially policemen, were competing with COVID-19 on who or what could kill more Nigerians.
According to him, failure to stem the tide of police harassment and killing of innocent Nigerians could trigger social upheaval.
Ajaero stated these in a condolence message to Buhari on the loss of his Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari.
Since a lockdown was imposed on March 30 by the president, with many state governors following suit, disturbing photos and videos of policemen harassing Nigerians under the guise of enforcing the lockdown have circulated on social media, drawing widespread condemnation.
At least 18 persons are believed to have been killed by security agents since the lockdown began, with human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) stating that the number was no less than 21 in the first two weeks.
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Ajaero wrote, “President Muhammadu Buhari will notice that the security agencies, especially the Police, seem to have engaged in an unhealthy competition with COVID-19 to see who kills Nigerians more.
“Please, instruct the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, to rein in his men to stop the killings all over the nation. It may just be the trigger for social upheaval in our nation, if it continues unabated.
“We urge the President to ensure that all Nigerian workers whether in the private or public sector, are paid their wages and salaries at this period of great distress.
“It is important that the rights of Nigerians are respected to the hilt as battle COVID-19.”