Security operatives conducted raid on NLC headquarters, confiscated several documents.
Security personnel conducted a forceful operation at the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on Thursday, according to the union.
According to the union, a group of individuals forcefully entered the Labour House, which serves as its headquarters, at approximately 8:30 p.m.
According to a statement by Benson Upah, the head of media and public relations for the NLC, the bookshop on the 2nd floor was broken into and extensively looted, with numerous books and publications being taken away.
“The invading force stated their purpose as the search for materials related to the #EndBadGovernance Protests.”
The NLC is currently unable to determine all the items that were removed from its offices.
The union strongly criticised the raid, which occurred six days after the #EndBadGovernance protests commenced. The NLC has called for the prompt removal of the security personnel from its headquarters.
The Nigeria Labour Congress strongly denounces this alarming decline in security operations in Nigeria. The armed security operatives entered the premises of the Nigeria Labour Congress without any legal documentation, according to the NLC. They did so during the late hours of the night.
Security agents have never entered or searched NLC secretariats, even during the most oppressive times of military rule. Today is a truly devastating day for our democracy.
Take a look at the NLC’s complete statement below:
Official Announcement
At approximately 8.30 pm this evening, a group of heavily armed security personnel unexpectedly arrived at the Labour House in the Central Business District of Abuja. The Labour House is the National Headquarters and Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
A group of security operatives, including some from the Nigeria Police Force and others in plain clothes, swiftly arrived on the 10th Floor of the NLC. They apprehended the security operative on duty and escorted him to the second floor, where they requested him to provide access to the offices. After he informed them that he didn’t possess any such keys, they forcefully entered the 10th floor and proceeded to loot the bookshop on the 2nd floor, taking away numerous books and publications. The invading troop stated their intention to search for materials related to the #EndBadGovernance Protests.
The Nigeria Labour Congress strongly denounces this alarming decline in security operations in Nigeria. The armed security operatives arrived at the premises of the Nigeria Labour Congress during the late hours of the night without any legal documentation. Even during times of military rule, NLC secretariats remained untouched by security agents, despite the challenges. Today is a sombre day for our democracy.
Earlier today, the National Executive Council of the NLC expressed strong disapproval of the forceful treatment of protesters by security agents across the country and the unnecessary violence that followed. We strongly denounced the widespread arrests of individuals believed to be involved in organising the protest. The NEC expressed concern over the excessive use of the term ‘treason’ to characterise the protest and called for a more measured approach. Unexpectedly, the Labour House was invaded by security operatives who were masked and heavily armed.
Given the concerning developments and the potential impact on democratic rights, freedom of speech and association, and the fundamental right of citizens to peacefully protest any issue they are passionate about, we urge the international community to pay attention to the decline of democratic values in Nigeria’s pursuit of a more authoritarian state. Considering the recent experiences of the NLC leadership, particularly the alarming incident where the NLC President was targeted by security operatives and thugs, it is clear that our concerns about a Nigerian state that is becoming increasingly brutal are justified. We have concerns about the potential decline in the situation.
Considering the current situation, the Nigeria Labour Congress has instructed its employees to refrain from going to the Labour House until we can confirm that our offices have not been tampered with or compromised by the intruders. To address our concerns, we insist on a thorough investigation at the international level regarding this highly distressing incursion.
We urgently request the prompt removal of the invading security agents from the premises of the Labour House in Abuja. We expect the prompt return of all the books and materials that were taken by the security operatives. They should be returned to their original location by the end of work tomorrow, 8th August 2024. We assert our demand based on the unlawful nature of the operation, as it lacked a court order for the invasion, ransacking, and looting of the publications.
If this harassment persists, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not hesitate to urge its members to refrain from work until their safety and security are guaranteed. We caution against the stifling of public discourse and avenues for productive dialogue and negotiation, as this would only exacerbate the already dire situation that Nigerians are currently facing. Being proactive can prevent bigger problems down the line!
Dear Comrade Benson Upah, I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to reach out to you regarding an important matter. As the Head of Media and Public Relations at the Nigeria Labour Congress, I believe you are the right person to address this issue. Thank you for your attention. Best regards, [Your Name]
August 7th, 2024