The Campaign for Democratic and Workers' Rights (CDWR) has called on the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Ayodele Sonubi, to arrest and prosecute the police officer responsible for the shooting death of a casual worker at the Sumal Foods manufacturing company in Ibadan.
In a statement signed by CDWR National Chairperson Olusesan Rufus and National Secretary Chinedu Bosah, the group condemned the killing and demanded justice for the deceased worker, identified as Mr. Bode.
According to reports from DAILY POST, Mr. Bode was shot during a protest by workers at the Sumal Foods facility on Monday. CDWR has advised the company to compensate the family of the deceased worker.
The group also called for the injured workers to receive treatment at the company's expense and be adequately compensated.
"We demand justice and adequate compensation for the families of the dead," the CDWR statement read.
"The injured workers should be treated at the expense of the company and be adequately compensated."
CDWR further called for the arrest and prosecution of the police officers involved in the "killing and brutalization of the workers."
The management of Sumal Foods has reportedly claimed that the police deployment was necessitated by the protest turning violent.
However, CDWR has dismissed this as a "blatant lie," accusing the company of having "a history of relying on the instrumentality of the state (police, judiciary, DSS and ministry of labour) to intimidate, harass and persecute workers."
The group stated that the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the recent government directive for companies to use tax waivers to provide palliatives for employees, "deserve to be given a thorough investigation."
CDWR has appealed to the state leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to intervene, ensure the release of arrested workers, and address the company's alleged anti-worker practices.