The Nigeria Police Force on Friday, clarified the reasons behind their raid on the Nigerian Labour Congress headquarters in Abuja.
According to The PUNCH, the police stated that detectives had tracked a suspect under investigation to a shop within the building.
The NLC had previously accused police and Department of State Services personnel of storming their Abuja office on Wednesday night.
NLC spokesperson Benson Upah reported that the operatives detained the security guards, forced them to provide keys to the offices on the second floor, broke into the area, and looted hundreds of books and publications from the bookshop.
In response, Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, explained that the operation was part of an effort to apprehend a foreign national involved in extensive criminal activities across Nigeria and other African countries.
Adejobi stated, “The Nigeria Police Force has noted a publication alleging that the NLC national secretariat, known as the Labour House, located in the Central Business District, Abuja, was raided by the Police.”
He further clarified, “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to clarify that a prime criminal suspect in an ongoing investigation was traced to a shop within the building in the Central Business District, Abuja. Detectives, armed with the appropriate legal authority, conducted an operation at the location, which turned out to be the NLC building.”
Adejobi emphasized that the raid had no connection to the NLC or its leadership, asserting, “We emphasise that this operation had no connection with the NLC, its secretariat, staff, or leadership. The NLC secretariat was not the focus of the operation, which was targeted at a rented shop within the building used by the suspect as a front for his criminal activities in Nigeria.”
He concluded by requesting the NLC’s cooperation, noting, “The Nigeria Police Force seeks the cooperation and support of the NLC leadership as we continue this investigation, which is vital to safeguarding our nation. The high-profile nature of the suspect poses a significant security threat to Nigeria and other African nations, making this investigation crucial for the safety of all involved, including the NLC.”
