In an unprecedented and dramatic incident, heavily armed security operatives stormed the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters in Abuja on the evening of 7 August 2024, at approximately 8:30 PM, long after the official close of business.

According to a statement released by the NLC’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Comrade Benson Upah, the Labour House was raided by a combination of personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and unidentified individuals in plain clothes.

“The security operatives, without presenting any legal documents, apprehended the security guard on duty and forcibly escorted him to the building’s second floor. Despite the guard’s explanation that he did not possess the keys to the offices, the operatives proceeded to forcibly enter the premises, ransacking the NLC’s bookshop. They seized hundreds of books and other publications, alleging that they were searching for seditious materials related to the #EndBadGovernance protests,” the statement revealed.

The NLC has condemned the raid in the strongest terms, describing it as a grave violation of democratic rights and freedoms. The Congress noted that even during military rule, such invasions of their headquarters were unheard of, calling this action an alarming new low in Nigeria’s security operations and a dangerous precedent for the nation’s democracy.

Earlier that day, the NLC’s National Executive Council had criticised the heavy-handed tactics employed by security forces against protesters and condemned the use of the term “treason” to describe peaceful demonstrations. “The timing of the raid, coming just hours after this condemnation, has heightened fears of state-sponsored repression,” the statement added.

In response, the NLC has called for an international investigation into the invasion, expressing concerns over the safety of their staff and the potential for evidence tampering. Employees have been instructed to avoid the Labour House until a thorough inspection confirms that no incriminating materials or harmful substances were planted by the intruding operatives.

The NLC has demanded the immediate withdrawal of security forces from their premises and the return of all seized materials by the end of the workday on 8 August 2024. They warned that continued harassment could lead to a full strike, stressing that suppressing public discourse and engagement will only exacerbate the country’s difficulties.

The statement also issued a stark warning about the dangers of further suppression of democratic engagement and constructive dialogue in Nigeria, urging prompt action to restore order and protect citizens’ rights.

The full statement reads: “This evening, at about 8.30 p.m., long after the close of work, a troop 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 in plain clothes, stormed the 10th floor of the NLC, arrested the security operative on duty, and then escorted him to the second floor, where he was asked to produce the keys to the offices.

“When he informed them that he did not have the keys, they forcibly entered the floor and ransacked the bookshop on the 2nd floor, confiscating hundreds of books and other publications. The invading operatives claimed they were searching for seditious materials used for the #EndBadGovernance protests.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress condemns in its entirety this unprecedented low in security operations in Nigeria. The armed security operatives presented no legal documents authorising them to invade the premises of the Nigeria Labour Congress at such an ungodly hour. Even during 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 noted and vehemently condemned the heavy-handed manner in which security agents manhandled protesters across the country and the needless bloodshed that ensued. We also condemned the mass arrests of those perceived to have led the protests. The NEC further denounced the reckless use of the term ‘treason’ to describe the protests and called for moderation. What we did not anticipate was the invasion of the Labour House by masked and heavily armed security operatives just hours later.

“In 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 erosion of democratic principles in the attempt to turn Nigeria into a police state.

“Given the recent experiences of the NLC leadership, particularly the near daylight assassination of the NLC President by security operatives and thugs, our fears of a Nigerian state descending into enforced brutality are well-founded. We fear that the situation may deteriorate further.

“As a result, the Nigeria Labour Congress has directed all its staff to stay away from the Labour House until we are certain that no incriminating materials or harmful substances have been planted 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 invading security agents from the premises of the Labour House, Abuja. We also demand that all books and materials confiscated by the invading security operatives be returned to their original location by the end of work tomorrow, 8 August 2024. We make this demand due to the illegality of the operation, as there was no court order authorising 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 stifling the public space and channels for constructive engagement, dialogue, and negotiations in light of the excruciating difficulties that Nigerians are currently enduring will only make matters worse. A stitch in time saves nine.”