NLC: Police trying to cover motives behind Labour House invasion

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the explanation of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for raiding its headquarters in Abuja.

On Wednesday night, security agents raided the Labour House in the Central Business District of Abuja.

Benson Upah, the spokesperson of the NLC, said the security operatives claimed that they were looking for “seditious materials” used for the #EndBadGovernance protests.

The police subsequently denied raiding the NLC building, adding that an operation was carried out to arrest a suspect at a shop situated within the Labour House.

The police said the suspect, who is a foreigner, was “implicated in numerous criminal activities across Nigeria and other African countries”.

The NLC, in a communique on Sunday after its national executive council (NEC) meeting, said the invasion by the police is a deliberate provocation by the government.

The union said it observed that since the current administration came to power, there has been a “pattern of intimidation, brutality, and deceit” against the NLC and the Nigerian people.

The communique, signed by Joe Ajaero, NLC president, said the government has also used legal injunctions, military force, and police intimidation to obstruct the NLC’s constitutional activities, including peaceful protests by affiliate unions.

”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 communique reads.

”The National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC recalled several instances of violence, including the brutal abduction and assault of 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 rather an afterthought and an attempt to cover the hidden motives behind such action as it raises more questions than answers. It therefore demands clear explanation from the government as quick 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.”

The NLC further demanded an immediate cessation of attacks against protesters and unions, while calling on the government to declare a national day of mourning for those who lost their lives and properties during the protests.