The Nigerian Police yesterday summoned the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, for questioning in connection with alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.

In a letter dated 19 August 2024, the police stated: “This office is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime in which you have been mentioned.

“You are hereby invited for an interview by the undersigned on Tuesday, 20 August 2024, at 10 a.m. sharp, at the IRT Complex, Old Abattoir, Guzape Junction, Abuja.

“Please be informed that failure to honour this invitation will compel the office to activate a warrant of arrest against you.”

On 7 July, the police conducted a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja, an action that sparked a media dispute between the organised labour and the police.

Explaining their actions in a statement, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun said a prime criminal suspect in an ongoing investigation had been traced to a shop within the building in the Central Business District, Abuja.

The statement, signed by Force Spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, clarified that detectives, armed with the necessary legal authority, conducted an operation at the location, which turned out to be the NLC building.

“The Nigeria Police Force has noted a publication alleging that the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), known as the Labour House, located in the Central Business District, Abuja, was raided by the police.

“On 7 August 2024, a press release issued by the NLC’s Head of Media and Public Relations alleged that officers of the Nigeria Police Force, along with some individuals in black T-shirts and others in plain clothes, raided the Labour House.

“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to clarify that a prime criminal suspect in an ongoing investigation was traced to a shop within the building in the Central Business District, Abuja. Detectives, armed with the appropriate legal authority, conducted an operation at the location, which turned out to be the NLC building,” the statement read.

Inspector General Egbetokun further explained that the well-coordinated, lawful operation was solely aimed at apprehending the prime suspect, a foreign national implicated in numerous criminal activities across Nigeria and other African countries.

He emphasised that the operation had no connection with the NLC, its secretariat, staff, or leadership, noting that the NLC Secretariat was not the focus of the operation, but rather a rented shop within the building used by the suspect as a front for his criminal activities in Nigeria.

“The Nigeria Police Force seeks the cooperation and support of the NLC leadership as we continue this investigation, which is crucial for safeguarding our nation.

“The high-profile nature of the suspect poses a significant security threat to Nigeria and other African nations, making this investigation vital for the safety of all involved, including the NLC,” the Inspector General said.