The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that it may direct its members to boycott work and stay at home if harassment against them persists.
The NLC said this in a statement disclosing that security personnel raided its headquarters, known as the Labour House, in Abuja on Thursday evening.
According to the statement issued by Benson Upah, the NLC Spokesperson, the raid occurred around 8:30 PM during which books and other publications were carted away.
Consequently, the workers’ body has advised all staff to refrain from entering the Secretariat until it can confirm that no incriminating materials or harmful substances have been left behind by the invading security operatives.
“This evening (last night, Wednesday, August 7) at about 8.30pm 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 statement by Upah read, in part.
“They broke into the floor and ransacked the bookshop on the 2nd floor carting away hundreds of books and other publications.
“The invading troop claimed that they were looking for seditious materials used for the #EndBadGoveranance Protests.
“In order to allay our fears, we demand an international inquiry into this very traumatic invasion.
“Finally, we demand the immediate withdrawal of the troop of invading security agents from the premises of the Labour House, Abuja.
“We also demand that all the books and materials carted away by the invading security operatives should be returned unfailingly to where they were taken from before the end of work tomorrow, 8th August 2024.
“We make this demand given the illegality of the operation as there was no court order for 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 the asphyxiation of the public space and channels for constructive engagement, dialogue and negotiations in light of the excruciating difficulties that Nigerians are going through right now would only make matters worse. A stitch in time might still save nine.
