By Abiola Olawale
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has faulted the explanation of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) on the reasons some operatives reportedly invaded its secretariat located in Abuja.
The union said the invasion of its secretariat is an alleged attempt to intimidate its members.
It would be recalled that the NPF in a statement issued by its Spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, clarified that its operatives did not raid the headquarters of the NLC located in Abuja.
He explained that the force received an intelligence report about a suspected criminal operating from a shop in the Centre Business District of Abuja, which coincidentally was the NLC building.
Adejobi added that the operation was lawful, stating that it had no malicious intent.
However, in a press statement issued by Benson Upah, the Union Head of Information and Public Affairs on Thursday, NLC demanded a public apology from the police.
Upah also stated that the union demanded the immediate return of books, publications, and other valuables allegedly stolen by some police operatives.
The statement reads in part: “We rejected the police explanation for the invasion of our secretariat as well as made several demands including the following:
“1). The return of the books, publications and other items or valuables removed from Congress premises;
“2). An immediate apology from the police and federal government to Congress for the invasion and desecration of Congress headquarters;
“3). Immediate and unconditional release of everybody detained in connection with the protest;
“4). Government to stop criminalising lawful protests as well as put an end to the continued harassment of people who hold dissenting views to government;
“5). The convening of a stakeholders conference to discuss “pressing issues confronting Nigeria and chart a path forward that addresses the root causes of the current unrest——hunger, poverty, inflation, insecurity and widespread dissatisfaction with government policies”.
“6). Leadership accountability that ensures “systemic issues of profligacy, waste, and mismanagement that exacerbate the suffering of Nigerians” are addressed;
“7). We also promised to set up “necessary machinery to conduct a forensic audit of the national headquarters to ascertain its safety and continued suitability for the use of workers” before we ask our members to report to work even as we consider the invasion a deliberate act of provocation intended to draw us out.”
