NLC Headquarters Raided by Masked Security Agents Amid #EndBadGovernance Protests

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has sharply criticized the Federal Government following a late-night raid by armed police officers at its headquarters in Abuja. 

This incident allegedly stems from accusations that NLC members supported the #EndBadGovernance protest.

According to reports, the raid occurred around 8:30 PM, long after regular working hours. Labour leaders noted that key NLC officials had already left the premises when masked security agents, equipped with various firearms, entered the building. Comrade Benson Upah, NLC's Head of Media and Public Relations, condemned the invasion, highlighting that the security personnel, some identifiable as members of the Nigeria Police Force and others in plain clothes, forcibly entered the 10th floor of the NLC headquarters. 

They detained the security officer on duty, demanding access to locked offices. When he was unable to provide the keys, the officers broke in and ransacked a bookshop on the second floor, seizing numerous publications under the pretext of searching for materials linked to the protests.

The NLC expressed outrage over this breach of security protocol, emphasizing that the armed operatives did not present any legal documentation authorizing their actions. Upah remarked that even during Nigeria's military regime, such invasions of NLC offices were unheard of, marking this incident as a significant regression for democracy in the country.

This raid coincided with a meeting of the NLC's National Executive Council (NEC), which had condemned the excessive force used by security agents against peaceful protesters nationwide. 

The NEC criticized the arbitrary arrests of protest leaders and the labeling of the demonstrations as treasonous, calling for restraint from the authorities. The unexpected invasion of the Labour House by heavily armed operatives just hours later was seen as a direct attack on the rights of citizens to protest peacefully.

In light of these events, the NLC has urged the international community to take note of the deteriorating democratic principles in Nigeria, warning against the country’s potential transformation into a police state. 

The NLC leadership, having faced threats and violence, including a near-assassination of its president, expressed grave concerns about the increasing brutality of state security forces.

To ensure the safety of its members, the NLC has instructed all staff to refrain from entering the Labour House until it is confirmed that no harmful materials were left behind by the raiders. 

The union has demanded an international inquiry into the invasion and the immediate withdrawal of the security forces from its premises. Additionally, they have called for the return of all seized materials by the end of the day, asserting that the operation was illegal due to the absence of a court order.