Posted by Reports of an incursion into the office of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) by security forces have prompted the group to express concern.
It demanded that federal armed security personnel evacuate the Labour House immediately.
On Wednesday, the union issued a statement through its official X Twitter in which Comrade Benson Upah, Head of Media and Public Relations, asserted that the Labour House in Abuja’s Central Business District had been attacked by a group of heavily armed security agents.
According to Worldoh, the structure houses the NLC’s secretariat and national headquarters.
According to NLC’s statement, a group of security personnel—including members of the Nigeria Police Force, individuals in black t-shirts thought to be from the Department of State Services (DSS), and outright muftis—swooped down from the tenth floor of the building, detained the on-duty security personnel, and then ordered him to the second floor, where they demanded that he produce the office keys.
Upon learning that he did not possess the aforementioned keys, they proceeded to break into the second-floor bookstore and plunder it, stealing numerous books and other publications.
They asserted that the invading troops were seeking seditious items utilized in the #EndBadGovernance Protests.
The NLC has spoken out against the incident, calling it a new low point in Nigeria’s security operations.
The armed security personnel did not have the proper documentation to enter the Nigeria Labour Congress building at that ungodly hour, according to the report.
Security personnel never ever raided or robbed an NLC secretariat, not even during the worst days of military administration. Our democracy is truly mourning today.
The workers claimed they were taken aback when masked and highly armed security personnel stormed their home, despite their earlier condemnation of the government’s tactics against the EndBadGovernance protesters.
Given the above and the concerning trend it indicates for democratic rights, free speech and association, and the unwavering ability of individuals to peacefully demonstrate for any cause they care about, we urge the global community to recognize the erosion of democratic principles in Nigeria’s attempt to transform
Entering a police state.
“Our concerns about a Nigerian state spiraling into enforced brutality are justified, considering the recent experience of the NLC leadership at the hands of the state’s naked brute force, particularly the botched assassination attempt on the NLC president by security operatives and thugs.
A worsening of the situation is something we are worried about. Now that we know the invading operatives have not thrown any dangerous substances or incriminating materials on our premises, the Nigeria Labour Congress has ordered all of its staff to remain away from the Labour House. We need a global investigation into this horrific invasion to put our anxieties to rest.
At long last, we’ve had enough, and we’re demanding that the invading security force leave the Labor House in Abuja immediately.
Before tomorrow, August 8th, 2024, at the end of the workday, all of the books and materials that the invading security personnel took must be returned to their original locations.
There was no court authorization for the invasion, ransacking, and looting of the publications, so we are making this demand since the operation was illegal.
In the event that this intimidation persists, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not think twice about requesting that its members remain at home until they are guaranteed safety.
In view of the terrible challenges that Nigerians are currently facing, we caution that things will only get worse if the public space and avenues for constructive interaction, discussion, and negotiations are stifled. “Even a small intervention could prevent a major disaster,” it read.