ABUJA— There was widespread condemnation yesterday following the invasion of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters by security agents late Wednesday night. The raid, believed to be carried out by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), has sparked angry reactions from various quarters, though the DSS has denied any involvement.
According to reports, the raid occurred around 10 p.m., with sources linking the incident to the recent nationwide protests against economic hardship. In response, the NLC has called for an international inquiry into the invasion, labeling it as a threat to democracy in Nigeria.
**DSS Denial and Reactions:**
DSS spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunanya, quickly issued a statement yesterday denying the agency’s involvement in the operation, stating, “The Service (DSS) did not carry out any operation at the NLC office in Abuja.”
Prominent figures and organizations swiftly reacted to the incident. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, Amnesty International, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and several civil society organizations condemned the raid, demanding accountability and an investigation into the matter.
**NLC’s Response:**
The NLC, through its Head of Media and Public Relations, Benson Upah, expressed shock over the invasion, noting that staff members were directed to stay away from the office. Upah highlighted the international outrage, saying, “Since last night, we have been receiving calls from across the globe, including our affiliates to express their disbelief and outrage over the invasion.”
**Political and Legal Responses:**
Atiku Abubakar criticized the raid as a violation of civil liberties, calling it reminiscent of military dictatorship tactics. Similarly, Peter Obi condemned the invasion, stating it was an attempt to intimidate the labor union, which he said has no place in a democracy.
Human rights organizations like Amnesty International and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) also voiced their disapproval. The TUC called for an investigation, condemning the confiscation of materials from the NLC library and describing the raid as a violation of fundamental rights.
**Legal Perspectives:**
Human rights lawyers, including Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and Femi Falana, SAN, weighed in on the legality of the raid. Ozekhome suggested that the DSS must justify the invasion as a matter of national security, while Falana called on the Inspector-General of Police to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable.
**Civil Society Reactions:**
Civil society leaders and activists, such as Inibehe Effiong and Deji Adeyanju, condemned the raid as a sign of the government’s disregard for democratic principles. They warned that such actions could escalate tensions and undermine public trust in the government.
