Dr. Stephen Adalooh Knabayi, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) FCT Council, narrowly escaped a mob attack during a peaceful protest demanding the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage for Area Council workers.
Leading the protest to the Minister’s office on Thursday, Dr. Knabayi was among the officials permitted to enter for negotiations on behalf of the workers.
However, his actions were perceived by the protesters as a betrayal, as they had insisted on a direct meeting with the Minister.
The protesters, already angered by this perceived slight, waited impatiently for the delegation to emerge.
Tensions escalated when Dr. Knabayi came out to address them, prompting the crowd to hurl insults and attack him. Accusations of compromise were levelled against him as the enraged protesters pelted him.
Other labour officials intervened to rescue Dr. Knabayi, whisking him away from the scene.
As Thursday afternoon report says, protesters were still pursuing him, intent on further confrontation.
