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.”
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 labour 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 labour 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 emphasised 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 apparently 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!”
