Schools, hospitals and the secretariat at Oke – Mosan, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, remained deserted yesterday as the indefinite strike by civil servants entered the second day.
The striking workers, who are protesting the non-payment of their pensions and deductions, said they would not resume until “there is evidence of payment”.
Three labour leaders – Chairman of National Union of Printing Corporation, Kayode Wemimo; Chairman of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Recreation and Technical Employee (AUCPTRE) identified as Ojeleye and an unidentified person- were arrested at the south end gate of the secretariat.
The Secretary of the Joint Negotiating Council, Adebiyi Olusegun, said the police arrested the three leaders, who were monitoring the strike, shortly after the arrival of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa.
“It was peaceful initially until the SSG arrived. We exchanged banters and just a few metres away, the police told us that we had only five minutes to leave the area.
“Then from nowhere came tear gas. They dragged the three leaders, handcuffed them and drove them to the Trade Fair Complex Police Station.
“Thereafter, we got in touch with our state leaders, who came to intervene. They wanted them to write statements but we told them that would be done before the media.”
The state chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Akeem Ambali, said the arrests would not affect the workers’ resolve.
