Breaking: DSS Invades NLC Headquarters Hours After NEC Meeting Condemns Cruel Treatment of #EndbadGovernance Activists
In a dramatic turn of events, a combined team of security agencies, suspected to be from the Department of State Services (DSS), invaded the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on Wednesday evening.
This invasion came just hours after the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which condemned the government’s harsh treatment of #EndBadGovernance activists.
Witnesses reported that the armed security personnel arrived in large numbers, forcibly breaking into several floors of the Labour House and ransacking offices, books, and files.
Read Also: NLC Sends 7 Fresh Demands To Tinubu Government over #EndBadGovernance Protest
A source indicated that the agents seized various materials, alleging they were used to incite and organize the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests.
Earlier in the day, the NLC’s NEC issued a strong communique demanding the reversal of what it termed “ill-conceived policies of the government,” which they claimed had led to the current economic crisis. The NLC emphasized the need for policies that prioritize the welfare of the people, create jobs, and ensure the fair distribution of resources.
Read Also: Protests: DSS Grills Seven Polish Nationals Arrested In Kano
The communique was signed by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja.
“The government must implement policies that prioritize the welfare of the people, create jobs, and ensure fair distribution of resources,” the executive body stated.
The NLC directed workers nationwide to continue to protect themselves while advocating for their rights, stressing their commitment to non-violence. The organization reiterated its dedication to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers and the broader population, vowing to persist in their efforts to ensure justice, equity, and good governance in Nigeria.
In response to the recent violence against protesters, the NLC called for a National Day of Mourning to honor those killed or injured in the protests. They also demanded an independent investigation into the attacks on protesters, holding that those responsible must be held accountable and justice must be served to the victims and their families. Additionally, the NLC called for the immediate release of peaceful protesters detained by the government.
“The NEC-in-session urges the federal government to engage in meaningful dialogue with representatives of the protesters, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to resolve all the issues at stake to end the national carnage,” the communique read. “This is to avoid NLC being compelled [to] direct its members to stay home for the safety of their lives.”
The NEC reiterated that the government can only quell democratic protests through concrete actions and reasonable dialogue, not by threatening the lives of citizens already suffering from police brutality.
The NLC also reminded the government of previous warnings about the consequences of adopting the anti-poor advice of the World Bank and IMF, particularly concerning the removal of the petrol subsidy policy in May. They criticized the government for failing to implement adequate safeguards to mitigate the resulting suffering among the populace.
As of the time of this report, it remains unclear why the DSS ransacked the NLC office or what specific items they were searching for.
