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HOW DSS RAIDED OUR HEADQUARTERS – NLC
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has provided a detailed account of the armed invasion of its headquarters, the Labour House in Abuja, by security operatives on Wednesday night.
In a statement, the NLC has demanded an international inquiry into the traumatic incident.
According to Benson Upah, head of Media and Public Relations for the NLC, the organization has directed all staff to stay away from the Labour House until it can confirm that no incriminating materials or harmful substances were left behind by the invading operatives.
The NLC expressed concern over the alarming deterioration of democratic principles in Nigeria, warning that the country is on a path to becoming a Police State.
The statement outlined the events of the evening, stating, “This evening (yesterday) at about 8.30pm long after the close of work, a troop of heavily armed security operatives invaded the Labour House, Central Business District, Abuja which serves as the National Headquarters and Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).”
The operatives included members of the Nigeria Police Force and individuals dressed in black, presumed to be from the Department of State Services (DSS).
The security team reportedly arrested the security operative on duty and demanded access to the offices.
When the officer could not provide the keys, they forcibly entered and ransacked the bookshop on the second floor, claiming they were searching for seditious materials related to the #EndBadGovernance protests.
The NLC condemned this action as a severe violation of security protocols, stating,
“The armed security operatives showed no legal document permitting them to invade the premises of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the ungodly hours of the night.”
The NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) had already condemned the violent treatment of protesters and the mass arrests occurring throughout the country.
The statement highlighted their concerns regarding the use of “treason” to describe peaceful protests, with the NEC calling for moderation.
In light of these events, the NLC has demanded an international inquiry and the immediate withdrawal of all security personnel from the Labour House.
They also called for the return of all materials taken during the invasion.
The NLC warned that if this harassment continues, they may have to instruct their members to remain home for their safety.
