The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed the Nigeria Police Force‘s (NPF) explanation for the raid on its headquarters in Abuja.
Security agents invaded the Labour House in Abuja’s Central Business District on Wednesday night.
The NLC‘s spokesperson, Benson Upah, stated that the security personnel claimed to be seeking “seditious materials” used in the #EndBadGovernance protests.
The police later denied storming the NLC building, saying that an operation was carried out to apprehend a suspect inside a business inside the Labour House.
According to the authorities, the suspect, a foreigner, was involved in “numerous criminal activities across Nigeria and other African countries.”
The NLC stated in a communiqué issued on Sunday following its national executive council (NEC) meeting that the police incursion was a deliberate provocation by the government.
The union stated that since the present administration took control, there has been a “pattern of intimidation, brutality, and deceit” against the NLC and the Nigerian people.
The statement, issued by NLC President Joe Ajaero, stated that the government has also utilised legal injunctions, military force, and police intimidation to block the NLC’s legitimate activities, including peaceful marches by affiliate unions.
The communique reads:
”The government’s actions began with the President’s May 29, 2023, statement declaring the removal of subsidies, followed by efforts to suppress the NLC’s opposition through threats, divisive propaganda, and unfulfilled promises to alleviate the country’s hardships.“
”The National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC recalled several instances of violence, including the brutal abduction and assault of the NLC President and other leaders in Owerri, Imo State, and the failure to prosecute the perpetrators.
“The NEC called on the government to guarantee the safety and security of all Nigerian workers, trade unions, and the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to operate freely within the country without fear of harm or violence.
“The NLC was not part of the recent democratic protests, which were a response to the widespread hardship in the country.
“We demand that the government withdraw its agents from all premises they have illegally occupied, particularly the headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Abuja and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Lagos.
“The NEC-in-session rejects outrightly the explanation offered by the Police as the reason for the invasion. It described it as an afterthought and an attempt to cover the hidden motives behind such action as it raises more questions than answers. It therefore demands a clear explanation from the government as quickly as possible.
“The NEC once again condemns the killing of innocent protesters who were peacefully expressing their grievances against the harsh policies of the government.”