Heavily armed Policemen late Wednesday night invaded the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Headquarters, Abuja, commonly known as Labour House.
Though details of the invasion is still sketchy, it was gathered that the stern looking policemen stormed the Labour House some few minutes to 9 pm and ransacked both the Second and 10th floors
A source told Abuja City Journal that “armed security men, both in uniform and mufti just invaded the Labour House in their numbers and were at the 10th Floor and 2nd Floor.
“They broke into second floor and ransacked books at the bookshop carrying all the materials into their van claiming that the materials were used to incite and organise the recent protest.”
According to a statement made available by NLC’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Comrade Benson Upah, the Labour House was invaded by a mix of personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and unidentified operatives dressed in plain clothes.
“The security team, without presenting any legal documents, apprehended the security operative on duty and forced him to the building’s second floor. Despite our security men’s responses to their questions about not having access to the office keys, the operatives proceeded to break into the premises and ransack the NLC’s bookshop. They seized hundreds of books and other publications, alleging that they were searching for seditious materials related to the #EndBadGovernance protests.” The statement highlighted.The NLC has strongly condemned the raid, calling it a severe infringement on democratic rights and freedoms. The Congress emphasised that even during the military regime, such invasions of their headquarters were unheard of. This action, they argue, marks a new low in security operations in Nigeria and a dangerous precedent for the nation’s democracy.
Earlier that day, the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting had denounced the heavy-handed tactics used by security forces against protesters and the use of “treason” to describe peaceful demonstrations. “The timing of the raid, just hours after this condemnation, has further fuelled fears of state-sponsored repression.”The NLC therefore called for an international investigation into the invasion, citing concerns over the safety of their staff and the potential tampering with evidence. They have instructed their employees to stay away from the Labour House until a thorough inspection confirms that no incriminating materials or harmful substances have been planted by the intruding forces.
In their statement, the NLC demanded the immediate withdrawal of the security forces from their premises and the return of all seized materials by the end of the workday on August 8, 2024. They have warned that continued harassment will lead them to consider a full strike, stressing that suppressing public discourse and engagement only exacerbates the country’s difficulties.
