The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) isn’t buying the Nigeria Police Force’s feeble excuse for storming its national headquarters in Abuja. The union has demanded an unreserved apology from the police, labeling the so-called “explanation” as nothing short of laughable.
What They Are saying
The police, in their attempt to downplay the incident, claimed they were not invading the NLC secretariat but merely tracking a suspected criminal who just happened to be hiding in the same building. How convenient! But the NLC isn’t falling for this flimsy story.
Addressing the press at their Abuja headquarters, Benson Upah, the NLC’s Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs, dismissed the police’s justification as absurd. He dared the police to provide any shred of evidence linking the NLC to the alleged criminal.
The union is not just seeking an apology; they are also warning the federal government to back off from what they see as intimidation and unwarranted meddling in labour union affairs. The NLC has made it clear that they won’t hesitate to escalate matters, including resorting to strikes, if their demands aren’t met.
Why It Matters
The NLC’s anger stems from a recent incident on August 8, when heavily armed police officers descended upon the Labour House, the NLC’s headquarters, in a raid that has left many questioning the motives behind it. According to the union, the operatives stormed the building at around 8:30 p.m., forcibly breaking in and ransacking the bookshop on the 2nd floor. They allegedly made off with hundreds of books and other publications.
In a statement, Benson Upah revealed that the police claimed they were searching for “seditious materials” supposedly linked to the #EndBadGovernance protests. This explanation is so laughable, with the NLC questioning why such a raid was necessary and demanding accountability for the police’s actions.
Bottom Line
The ball is now in the court of the Nigeria Police Force and the federal government. Will they offer the apology the NLC demands, or will this confrontation escalate further? Either way, the NLC has made it clear that they are ready to fight for their rights.
