Security Forces Raid NLC Headquarters, Seize Materials Allegedly Linked to Protests
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in a statement released late Wednesday, reported that its headquarters in Abuja was raided by security operatives, including the Nigerian Police Force and others believed to be members of the Department of State Services (DSS), around 8:30 pm.
According to the statement signed by Comrade Benson Upah, Head of Media and Public Relations of the union, the operatives forced their way into the offices after requesting the keys.
“The security operatives, some from the Nigeria Police Force, some wearing black T-shirts presumably from the Department of State Services (DSS), and others in plain clothes, swooped on the 10th floor of the NLC and arrested the security operative on duty. They then commandeered him to the second floor, where he was asked to produce the keys to the offices,” Upah said in the statement.
It continued, “When he told them that he had no such keys on him, they broke into the 10th floor and ransacked the bookshop on the 2nd floor, carting away hundreds of books and other publications.”
The union further stated, “The invading troop claimed that they were looking for seditious materials used for the #EndBadGovernance protests.”
Claiming that the operatives tendered no legal permission before the raid, the NLC described the incident as a sad day for Nigeria’s democracy.
“Even in the dark days of military rule, NLC secretariats were never invaded and ransacked by security agents. Today is indeed a very sad day for our democracy.”
The raid comes after the NLC’s National Executive Council condemned the high-handed manner in which security agents manhandled protesters and the reckless use of “treason” to describe the protest.
The NLC has directed its staff to stay away from the Labour House until it is certain that there are no incriminating materials or harmful substances dropped in their offices by the invading operatives. The union is demanding an international inquiry into the invasion and the immediate withdrawal of the troops of invading security agents from the premises.
Requesting that all papers taken during the raid are returned before the close of business on Thursday, August 8, Comrade Upah warned, “If this harassment continues, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not hesitate to call on its members to stay home until their safety and security are assured.”
While the group have called for an international inquiry into the invasion, Amnesty International, in a separate statement, also condemned the raid, claiming it was designed to intimidate the union.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns the brazen invasion of the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress by a contingent of armed security personnel. The chilling raid last night appears to be part of a sinister and calculated attack designed to intimidate the labour union,” the group said.
Also Read: 21 Killed In #EndBadGovernance Protest–Amnesty International
