By Nwosu Collins
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has confirmed that its national office in Abuja was invaded by security operatives on Wednesday night. The operatives, believed to be from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, arrested the security guards and forced them to hand over keys to the offices on the second floor.
According to NLC spokesperson Benson Upah, the operatives then broke into the floor, ransacked the bookshop, and stole hundreds of books and publications. The NLC has condemned the invasion, describing it as illegal and a violation of democratic principles.
The invasion occurred just hours after the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting, where members condemned the high-handed manner in which security agents handled protesters during the #EndBadGoverance protests. The NLC is demanding an international inquiry into the incident and the return of the stolen materials.
This incident has raised concerns about the growing trend of intimidation and harassment of civil society organizations and human rights groups in Nigeria. The NLC has vowed to continue to speak out against injustice and defend the rights of Nigerian workers and citizens.