* Joe Ajaero
NLC President
By Funso Alarape
Friday August 9, 2024
Please, share this story:
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday alleged an invasion of its headquarters by security men, who carted away some publications from its library.
The labor center said those who carried out the raid on Wednesday night were policemen, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and another unnamed security outfit. It added that most of them wore black T-shirts.
However, the DSS has denied the involvement of its operatives in the invasion.
The DSS spokesman, Dr. Peter Afunanya, on Wednesday said that the agency had nothing to do with the operation.
He said, “Good morning, dear friends. Please kindly note that the Service (DSS) did not carry out any operation at the NLC office in Abuja.”
Meanwhile, the alleged invasion has been condemned by many Nigerians and organizations.
The NLC, in a statement, said: “A team made up 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 security operatives, some from the Nigeria Police Force, some wearing black T-shirts, presumably from the Department of State Services (DSS), and others on outright mufti, swooped on the 10th floor of the NLC, arrested the security operatives on duty, and then commandeered them to the second floor, where they were asked to produce the keys to the offices.
“When they told them that they had no such keys, they broke into the floor and ransacked the bookshop on the 2nd floor, carting away hundreds of books and other publications. The invading team claimed that they were looking for seditious materials used for the #EndBadGovernanceProtests.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress condemns in its entirety this new low in security operations in Nigeria. 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. Even in the dark days of military rule, NLC secretariats were never invaded and ransacked by security agents. Today is indeed a very sad day for our democracy.
“The National Executive Council of the NLC took note and vehemently condemned the high-handed manner in which security agents manhandled protesters in many parts of the country and the needless bloodshed that ensued.
‘’We also condemned the sweeping mass arrests of those perceived to have led the protests. The NEC also frowned at the reckless use of ‘treason’ to describe the protest and demanded moderation. ‘’What we did not see coming was the invasion of the Labour House by masked and heavily armed security operatives hours later.
“In the light of the foregoing and the ominous sign it portends for democratic rights, freedom of speech and association, and the unimpeachable right of citizens to protest peacefully on any issue they feel strongly about, we call on the international community to take note of the deterioration of democratic principles in the bid to turn Nigeria into a police state.
“Given the experience of the leadership of the NLC in recent times at the receiving end of the naked brute force of the state, especially the near daylight assassination of the NLC President(Joe Ajaero) by security operatives and thugs, our fears of a Nigerian state that is descending into enforced brutality are well founded. We fear that the situation might deteriorate.
“Given the state of things, the Nigeria Labour Congress has directed all its staff to stay away from the Labour House for now until we are certain that there are no incriminating materials or harmful substances dropped in our offices by the invading operatives.
‘’To allay our fears, we demand an international inquiry into this very traumatic invasion.
“We demand the immediate withdrawal of the troop of invading security agents from the premises of the Labour House, Abuja. We also demand that all the books and materials carted away by the invading security operatives be returned unfailingly to where they were taken from before the end of work tomorrow, August 8, 2024.
‘’We make this demand given the illegality of the operation, as there was no court order for the invasion, ransacking, and looting of the publications.
“If this harassment continues, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not hesitate to call on its members to stay home until their safety and security are assured. We warn that the asphyxiation of the public space and channels for constructive engagement, dialogue, and negotiations in light of the excruciating difficulties that Nigerians are going through right now would only make matters worse. A stitch in time might still save nine.
“It is unthinkable that a man who ran away on exile out of fear for his life is now picking up protesters from their homes, mount security agents, which they constitute a special task force, comprising Department of State Security Service, DSS, Nigerian Police Force, NPF, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, picking up protesters in their homes on the order of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Unfortunately, we have degenerated to this level under the Tinubu-led administration that did not have regard to democracy, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of association Tinubu should hide his face in shame.”
“Depend on what sensitive information the Secret Service had regarding existential national security matters.
‘’If the invasion was carried out merely as part of a scare-mongering device, artifice, and tactics to repress popular dissent and permissible civil and peaceful protests, then it was utterly wrong.
‘’But, if it was done to protect public safety, public good, and the rights of others to enjoy their fundamental rights, then it could be excused.
“However, the onus lies on the DSS to show that it acted within the confines of the law and that there was, indeed, an urgent clear, and present danger it hoped to avert or unravel
ITUC demands investigation
In its reaction, the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC, in its X handle, called on the Federal Government to immediately return all property carted away by the invading security operatives.
It said: “ITUC strongly condemns the attack on NLC Headquarters by security forces.
‘’We call on the Nigerian government to immediately recall its security forces from the premises of the NLC, return all property taken from the premises, and conduct an investigation.’’
ITUC also called on the Federal Government to respect labor and trade union rights as #HumanRights, build trust with the labor movement in Nigeria, listen to their demands for meaningful and effective dialogue, and stop attacking them!”
TUC fumes, demand investigation
Also reacting, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, condemned the invasion and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.
TUC, in a statement by its President, Festus Osifo, said: “The TUC condemns the Wednesday night’s invasion of the Labour House, headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Abuja, by security operatives.
“The reported confiscation of books from the NLC library, allegedly in search of ‘End Bad Governance’ materials, is a troubling act that raises serious concerns about the violation of fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and expression.
“This action represents an overreach by security forces and poses a threat to the democratic principles that allow for peaceful dissent and free expression.
“We consider this invasion a direct attack on the rights of Nigerian citizens to freely express their views and to access information.
“The TUC calls on the Federal Government to immediately launch a thorough investigation into this incident. Those responsible for authorizing and executing this operation must be held accountable. “We demand the prompt return of all seized materials to the NLC library and an explanation for this unjustified action.
“Nigerians must be reassured that their rights are protected and that security agencies operate within the confines of the law, respecting the freedoms guaranteed under our constitution.”
Atiku condemns invasion
In his reaction, former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, while condemning the invasion, said whoever ordered the invasion by men believed to be a combined team of security officials should be held accountable.
Atiku, who spoke through his Media Adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, said such clandestine raids on civil liberties had no place in a democracy.
He said: “The invasion of the national secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, by persons believed to be security operatives, whether singly or as a combined team, stands condemned.
“The practice of such raids without a valid court order and in the wee hours of the day reflects the current administration’s desire to hold on to the vestiges of military dictatorship, which the NLC, civil society, and the media fought so hard to end and birth the democratic rule we enjoy today.
“Events of the last couple of weeks have shown this administration’s growing obsession with militarization of our polity.
“They are trying to suppress civil liberties and silence the media. Just the other day, they had protesters shot at and some killed for daring to protest the hardships this administration’s policies have unleashed on the people.
“This administration must be told in clear terms that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria and those who do not share the same views with government must be allowed to air their views.’’
Invasion of NLC secretariat condemnable- Obi
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, in his reaction, described the raid as condemnable.
Speaking through his Media Aide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Obi noted that raiding the office of the labor union, especially at an unholy hour, was not the best thing to do.
He said: “The NLC as an organization, fights for the rights of the majority of Nigerian workers and their officials are accessible.
“If any of our security agencies desire to see them, the proper thing to do is to invite them, and I know they are law-abiding; they will honor such invitations.
“Invading their offices, especially after office hours, is an attempt to intimidate them. This has no place in a democracy.’’
Amnesty International condemns the raid
On its part, the Country Director of Amnesty International, Isa Sanusi, described the raid as a “sinister and calculated attack” designed to intimidate the labor union.
Sanusi said: “Amnesty International strongly condemns the brazen invasion of the headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress by a contingent of armed security personnel.
‘’The chilling raid last night (Wednesday) appears to be part of a sinister and calculated attack designed to intimidate the labor union.
“We are deeply concerned about the safety of NLC officials. Under international human rights law and standards, trade unions cannot be targeted for their participating activities.”
Amnesty International emphasized that Nigeria had an obligation to respect and protect the rights of trade unions under international human rights law.
“Under international human rights law, Nigeria has an obligation not only to respect the rights of trade unions but also to protect these rights from abuse,’’ the group added.
Mike Ozekhome, SAN
Also reacting yesterday, human rights activist Mike Ozekhome said: “The invasion will depend on what sensitive information the Secret Service had regarding existential national security matters.
‘’If the invasion was carried out merely as part of scare-mongering device, artifice, and tactics to repress popular dissent and permissible civil and peaceful protests, then it was utterly wrong.
‘’But, if it was done to protect public safety, public good, and the rights of others to enjoy their fundamental rights, then it could be excused.
“However, the onus lies on the DSS to show that it acted within the confines of the law and that there was, indeed, an urgent, clear, and present danger it hoped to avert or unravel through the invasion, necessitating it not obtaining a prior order of court to search the Labour House premises.”
IGP must fish out invaders – Falana
On his part, human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, said: “Yesterday (Wednesday), the secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress at Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory was invaded and occupied by armed security forces.
‘’The invasion was designed to silence the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress for having the temerity to criticize the harassment of the #endbadgovernance protesters by the police and other security agencies.
“The invasion is a shameful reminder of the armed invasion of the NLC Secretariat on February 28, 1988, following the loss of the post of the president of the congress at the Triennial Delegates Conference of the Congress by the stooge of Ibrahim Babangida’s military junta.
‘’As if the invasion was not enough, the reactionary forces in power at the material time proceeded to seize the secretariat and impose a sole administrator to manage the affairs of the Congress for over a year.
‘’Two years earlier, security operatives had detained NLC leaders, including its president, Comrade Ali Chiroma, who died a few months ago. The Gestapo tactic on that tragic occasion was to forestall a nationwide protest in response to police killings of Ahmadu Bello University students.
“For genuine democrats, it’s utterly regrettable that official actions in a democratic dispensation could be reminiscent of the atrocities that defined the dark days of military dictatorship.
“It is incontestable that it is illegal for security forces to invade the homes and offices of law-abiding citizens and corporate bodies under a democratic dispensation, hence, the State Security Service has denied its involvement in the invasion.
‘However, the official denial of the State Security Service in the repressive activity is not sufficient. We are, therefore, compelled to call on the Inspector-General of Police to order an inquiry into the identities of the perpetrators of the illegal invasion. This should not be a case of unknown invaders!”
Raiding, seizing books, publications shameful – HOMEF
Equally reacting, the Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, HOMEF, Arc Nnimmo Bassey, described the act of raiding and seizure of books and publications at NLC headquarters as disturbing and shameful.
Bassey said: “The invasion of the NLC headquarters by security agencies without a court order is a shocking development. The seizure of books and publications is both disturbing and shameful.
‘’If the action was related to the #EndBadGovernance protest, then it is a big insult not only to workers across the nation but also to every hungry and angry citizen.
‘’The government should ‘go to court’ if they suspect the NLC of indoctrinating the poor Nigerians who went on the streets to tell the world they were hungry.
‘’Why seize books? Is the government afraid of books and ideas? Are the security agents now constituting themselves into a thought police?
‘’Unless they have credible information implicating the NLC in acts of illegality, the security agencies should understand that acts of this nature are embarrassing to the people and the government.
‘’The security agencies should apologize to the NLC, return the books that were seized, and be careful not to further stoke the fires of anger and frustration through such abrasive actions.
Govt’s action wrong, aggravating polity – Global Rights
The Executive Director of Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, also said the action of the government was uncalled for.
She said: “The government clearly has made a very wrong move and is only aggravating the polity. They are only piling on their list of atrocities. If they are not careful, it will blow up in their faces.”
Similarly, Dr. Zikirullahi Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, CHRICED, warned that the country was almost returning to a full-blown dictatorship, with the government using iron-fist tactics to suppress dissenting voices.
He criticized the government’s hypocrisy in calling for dialogue while clamping down on dissenting voices.
Zikirullahi said: “We are almost returning to a full-blown dictatorship. The invasion of the NLC national office is reminiscent of our experiences during the dark days of military dictatorship in our nation’s history.
“It’s unfortunate that the President is not even pretending to have learned much from the military days. He wants to use an iron fist to treat issues that could have been better resolved through dialogue.
“On the one hand, he is calling for dialogue with Nigerians, while on the other hand, he is authorizing the security agencies to hunt down and clamp down on Nigerians who are expressing their grievances over some of his policies.”
We are here to serve you with quality news and information.
However, your donations, reactions, and advert placement are welcome.
Contact us on 08033783144 (WhatsApp)
08023469999
idowuadelusi@yahoo.com, idowuadelusi@gmail.com,
thepathfindernews0@gmail.com
Follow our reports also on X @idowuadelusi and Facebook (Idowu Oluwole Adelusi)