Police Clarify Reasons Behind NLC Building Raid
On August 9, 2024, a joint police and DSS team unexpectedly raided the Nigerian Labour Congress office in Abuja. The operation ignited controversy and led to widespread questioning of its motives and targets. Public and media scrutiny intensified, seeking clarity on the intentions behind the police action.
The Incident at Labour House
According to NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, the security personnel arrested the building’s security guards, forcibly obtained keys to several offices, and proceeded to ransack a bookshop on the premises, allegedly removing hundreds of books and publications. This action led to allegations of an unwarranted invasion by the NLC against the police force.
Official Response from the Police
Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, issued a statement addressing the allegations that had surfaced. He clarified that the focus of the operation was on a foreign national, who is suspected of being involved in widespread criminal activities not just within Nigeria but also in several other African countries.
Adejobi’s statement aimed to provide transparency and understanding regarding the situation. He emphasized the cross-national scope of the criminal activities that prompted the operation, highlighting the importance of the action taken.
Details of the Police Operation
Adejobi emphasized that the police did not direct the raid at the NLC or its members, but instead focused it on a shop within the Labour House, reportedly used by the suspect as a front for his illicit activities. He maintained that the police conducted the operation with full legal authority, underscoring its crucial role in national security.
NLC’s Role and Police Cooperation
Further elaborating on the event, Adejobi assured that the police targeted the rented space used by the criminal suspect, thus making the NLC’s role incidental. He called for understanding and cooperation from the NLC leadership, stressing the importance of the operation in maintaining security and public safety.
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