The Lagos State Government has accused the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers' Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) of being violent.

According to a statement signed by the Commissioner, Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, members of the Labour unions on Monday forcefully shut down Lagos Television, Radio Lagos, Eko FM, and Lagos Traffic Radio.

Ayantayo said, "They tore down doors and switched off transmitters in a disturbing show of violence- all in the name of a strike."

He said the action was taken by the unionists to ensure that 245 workers are put on the government’s payroll, despite ongoing talks on the matter.

A meeting between representatives of the government, led by Ayantayo, and the leadership of the unions was initiated on January 8, 2025, after submissions were made by the management of the broadcast organisations to the Ministry of Establishments and Training.

"However, the Labour unions disrupted the transmission of the broadcast stations by shutting down their transmitters and chasing out staff who were on essential duty from the premises. This is a violation of the rights of those workers," Ayantayo said.

He advised the leaders of NUJ and RATTAWU to refrain from intimidating staff carrying out their lawful duty, adding that "a strike should not be turned into an attack on the agencies and their workers."

He urged workers of the three broadcast stations to report for work and avoid any confrontation with the union members.