The national president of Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NLYF), Comrade Eliot Afiyo has disclosed that, no fewer than 67 members of the body lost their lives as a result of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) strike in Kaduna.

He noted that the strike was an evil machination contrived by the NLC to increase the hardship of ordinary residents of the state, adding that henceforth, his organization will scuttle such ungodly act.

Recall that the NLC embarked on a 5 day warning strike to protest the sacking of thousands of Kaduna State civil servants following a downsizing policy of the state government.

Afiyo who condemned the NLC’s action in strongest terms, noted that the labour union through its action is simply trying to cause a reign of anarchy.

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He added that instead of staging protests against insecurity and other obnoxious policies of the Federal Government, the NLC was busy staging uncalled for protest against a state government for doing what is legally expedient.

“Kaduna State is presently engulfed with insecurity leading to killings, kidnapping and many more. The NLC led by Comrade Ayuba Wabba did not feel any concern that requires mass protest.

“The increase in pump price of petrol has become a recurring decimal and electricity tariff are being increased on quarterly basis yet Comrade Wabba did not think of any minor protest at least to draw the attention of the people, but organised a mass protest because Kaduna State Government wanted to downsize the workforce which constitute only 20% of the population of Kaduna State.

“Even the minimum wage that was approved for the workers is not paid by many state governors and NLC does not bother about it because NLC is yet to implement it for their workers,” he said.

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While regretting the massive loss of lives and properties of Kaduna residents as a result of the strike, Afiyo warned Wabba never again contemplate such rash action, saying it will attract the wrath of his group.

“We want to state clearly without mincing words that NYLF would not allow any form of protest by NLC in Kaduna State or any other northern state including Abuja against any other policy except on insecurity. We want to sound a note of warning to Comrade Wabba and his colleagues to stay clear from Kaduna State not to talk of organizing a protest against the downsizing of the workforce.

“We observed with great dismay the last protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kaduna State during which essential services and workers were shut down and forcefully pushed out.

“Doctors and nurses were forced to leave their wards and theatre rooms, electricity cables and transformers were disconnected, water hawkers popularly known as Mai ruwa were threatened and intimidated, markets were closed and traders were chased out.

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“All major roads were barricaded pharmacies, patent medical stores, chemists were forcefully closed. As a result, many lives were lost due to lack of medical attention. The NYLF lost sixty seven of her members due to this unconstitutional and selfish desire by NLC,” Afiyo disclosed.