The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has disclosed the reason behind its recent raid at Labour House, the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja.
The operation, which took place on Wednesday night, involved masked officers who stormed Labour House in commando fashion and reportedly seized books and other items.
This raid had raised concerns and condemnation from the NLC, which demanded the return of their belongings.
In a statement issued on Friday, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, explained that the raid was not intended to target the NLC or its members but rather focused on a specific individual renting space within the Labour House building.
The police spokesperson, however, did not disclose the identity of the said individual.
According to Adejobi, the individual in question was a foreign national allegedly involved in a range of criminal activities both in Nigeria and across other African countries.
On the night of the raid, masked policemen dressed in black stormed the Labour House, causing significant alarm among NLC staff and members.
The police officers, who reportedly identified themselves as searching for sponsors of the #EndBadGovernance protest, were seen taking away books and other materials from the premises.
The NLC condemned the action, demanding an explanation and the return of the seized items.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress urges the international community to take note of the alarming decline in democratic norms,” the NLC said.
“We fear that Nigeria is descending into a police state where dissent is met with brute force and intimidation.”
The union argued that the raid seemed to unfairly target them and disrupt their operations. They also questioned the legality and justification for such an invasion.
In response, the NPF clarified that the primary objective of the operation was to apprehend a suspect using a rented shop within the Labour House for illegal activities.
According to Adejobi, the raid was conducted with the appropriate legal authority and was part of a larger investigation into the criminal activities of the suspect.
“The NLC was not the target of this operation. The building where the suspect was operating was mistakenly identified as the focus of the raid,” Adejobi stated.
He emphasized that the operation was a lawful, coordinated effort aimed at capturing a high-profile criminal who posed a significant security threat.
Adejobi urged the NLC to cooperate with the police as they continue their investigation, stressing the importance of resolving the matter for the safety of all involved.
Labour House, located in Abuja, serves as the headquarters for the NLC, a major labour union in Nigeria.
The NLC is known for advocating workers’ rights and engaging in various socio-political issues. Its headquarters is a central hub for labour activities and discussions on national governance.
The recent raid came amid heightened tensions related to the #EndBadGovernance protests, which have seen widespread demonstrations against government policies and corruption.
The protests have been a significant issue in Nigeria, leading to increased scrutiny and sensitivity around government actions and responses.
