Labour House Raid: Police Clarifies, Sets Record Straight
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Following allegations of raiding the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, National Secretariat, known as the Labour House, located in the Central Business District, Abuja, the Nigeria Police Force has clarified that it had unknowingly gone there in pursuit of a criminal.
A statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi, clarified that a prime criminal suspect in an ongoing investigation was traced to a shop within the building in the Central Business District, Abuja and detectives, armed with the appropriate legal authority, conducted an operation at the location, which turned out to be the NLC building.
He said the well-coordinated, lawful operation was solely aimed at apprehending the prime suspect—a foreign national implicated in numerous criminal activities across Nigeria and other African countries.
The Nigeria Police Force emphasised that the operation had no connection with the NLC, its Secretariat, staff, or leadership and as such, 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.
The Nigeria Police Force further sought the cooperation and support of the NLC leadership as it continue the investigation, which is vital to safeguarding the nation.
It however noted that rhe high-profile nature of the suspect poses a significant security threat to Nigeria and other African nations, making the investigation crucial for the safety of all involved, including the NLC.
The statement also noted that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to upholding the rule of law, maintaining professionalism, and respecting human rights in the discharge of its statutory duties and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and to conduct security profiling of individuals seeking to rent a space within their premises.
It will be recalled that on August 7, 2024, a press release issued by the NLC’s Head of Media and Public Relations had alleged that officers of the Nigeria Police Force, along with some individuals in black T-shirts and others in plain clothes, raided the Labour House.
