Labour Congress Cries
In a dramatic escalation of tensions in Nigeria, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for an international inquiry following an unprecedented invasion of its headquarters by armed security operatives. The Labour House, located in the Central Business District of Nigerian capital city Abuja, was stormed by heavily armed personnel on the night of Wednesday, August 7, 2024.
The operatives, including members of the Nigeria Police Force and individuals said to be in mufti, forcibly entered the premises, detained the on-duty security personnel, and conducted a search allegedly without presenting any legal warrant.
‘Seditious Materials’
According to the NLC’s official statement, the operatives claimed they were searching for “seditious materials” related to the recent #EndBadGovernance protests. During the raid, hundreds of books and publications were reported to have been seized from the Congress’s bookshop on the second floor. The NLC has condemned the actions, comparing them to the darkest days of military rule, labelling the incident as a “new low” in Nigeria’s security operations.
The NLC’s National Executive Council had earlier expressed concerns over the what it described as excessive use of force by security agents against protesters across Nigeria, which had led to numerous arrests and injuries. The council criticised the labelling of protest actions as “treason” and had called for moderation in the government’s response.
Grave Sign for Democracy
“The invasion of our headquarters is a grave sign for our democracy,” said Comrade Benson Upah, the NLC’s Head of Media and Public Relations. “This brazen attack is a threat to democratic rights, freedom of speech, and the right of citizens to protest peacefully. We urge the international community to recognise the deterioration of democratic principles in Nigeria.”
The Congress has advised all its staff to avoid the Labour House until it is confirmed that no incriminating materials or harmful substances were planted during the invasion. It has also demanded the immediate withdrawal of security forces from its premises and the return of all seized materials by the end of the workday on August 8, 2024. The NLC insists that the operation lacked legal grounding, as no court order was presented to justify the invasion, search, and seizure of publications.
The Labour Congress’s appeal for an international inquiry seeks to hold those responsible accountable and prevent the descent into a “Police State,” as they fear further state-sanctioned brutality against citizens and leaders may occur. The NLC said in the release that it is determined to ensure the safety and security of its members and uphold the democratic freedoms of all Nigerians.
Labour May Strike
Should the harassment persist, the NLC has warned of potential strikes, emphasising that the suppression of public discourse amid the nation’s ongoing challenges could exacerbate the situation. “The choking of public space and channels for constructive engagement can only worsen the current hardship faced by Nigerians,” Upah stated, calling for urgent measures to avert further conflict.
In November 2023, the NLC and its sister union, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), had cause to condemn an attack on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Joe Ajaero, during in protest in Owerri, the capital of Imo State. The Labour leader who sustained injury on his head, was taken into custody by the police, who denied attacking Mr Ajaero but only saving him from an angry mob. The NLC in Imo State had been in an ongoing conflict with the state government, claiming that workers have not received their salaries and benefits for over 20 months. Mr Ajaero, as national leader of the NLC, had gone to give bite to the strike action when he was attacked.
Previously, Nigeria’s labour unions had called off an indefinite strike over the increasing cost of living after President Bola Tinubu’s administration agreed to temporarily raise wages and suspend the value-added tax (VAT) on diesel. This postponed strike now seems to have resurfaced in August 2024 as a mass protest called by various citizens groups, and has led to killings of police officers and protesters as well as destruction of public and private property.
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