A wave of condemnation followed the late-night raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) by security agents on Wednesday. The raid, reportedly carried out by operatives believed to be from the Department of State Services (DSS), has sparked fierce reactions from political figures, civil society organizations, and international bodies.
Although the DSS quickly denied involvement, the raid is widely believed to be connected to recent nationwide protests against economic hardship. The incident has raised concerns about the state of democracy in Nigeria and the government’s approach to civil liberties.
The NLC swiftly responded, calling for an international inquiry into the invasion. Describing the raid as a grave threat to democracy, NLC’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Benson Upah, expressed shock and disbelief. “We are still reeling from this invasion. All staff were directed to stay away from the office, and we cannot yet understand the reasons behind this attack,” Upah stated.
The raid has drawn global attention, with calls flooding in from international affiliates and organizations expressing outrage. “Even under military rule, such actions were rare,” Upah noted, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar condemned the raid, calling for those responsible to be held accountable. “Raiding the NLC secretariat without a valid court order reflects a disturbing trend toward militarization in our democracy,” Atiku said through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe.
Atiku warned that the current administration appears intent on suppressing civil liberties, silencing dissent, and reversing the democratic gains made over the years. He emphasized that democracy must be preserved, and the voices of those who disagree with the government must be respected.
Similarly, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi denounced the raid as an attempt to intimidate the labor union. “Invading the NLC offices, especially after hours, is an affront to democracy,” Obi remarked. He urged security agencies to follow due process, stressing that NLC officials are law-abiding and would respond to proper invitations.
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) also condemned the raid, calling on the Nigerian government to return all seized property and conduct a thorough investigation. “This attack on NLC headquarters is a violation of trade union rights and must be addressed immediately,” ITUC stated in a social media post.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) echoed these sentiments, demanding a full investigation. TUC President Festus Osifo described the raid as a direct attack on freedom of speech and expression. “This overreach by security forces poses a significant threat to democratic principles,” Osifo warned.
Amnesty International’s Nigeria Country Director, Isa Sanusi, called the raid a “sinister and calculated attack” designed to intimidate the labor union. Sanusi stressed that under international human rights law, trade unions cannot be targeted for their activities. Amnesty International urged the Nigerian government to protect the rights of trade unions and hold those responsible for the raid accountable.
Prominent human rights lawyer Mike Ozekhome noted that the legality of the raid depends on the information the Secret Service had regarding national security. “If the raid was merely a tactic to suppress dissent, it was utterly wrong,” Ozekhome stated. He added that the DSS must prove it acted within the law and that there was an urgent need to avert a national security threat.
Femi Falana, another well-known human rights lawyer, criticized the raid as an attempt to silence the NLC for criticizing the government’s handling of protests. Falana called for the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the identities of those involved in the raid, asserting that such actions are illegal under a democratic government.
Human rights activist Inibehe Effiong expressed deep concern over the raid, stating that it signals a disregard for democratic principles. “The government’s comfort in invading the NLC secretariat should alarm us all. It reflects a disturbing descent into authoritarianism,” Effiong said. He called on labor leaders to reassess their relationship with the government in light of recent events.
Deji Adeyanju, an organizer of recent protests against economic hardship, described the raid as a sign of President Bola Tinubu’s disregard for democracy. “It is unthinkable that a leader who once fled from military oppression is now undermining democratic freedoms,” Adeyanju remarked.
Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), condemned the seizure of books and publications during the raid as both disturbing and shameful. He urged the government to apologize and return the materials, warning that such actions only fuel public frustration.
Global Rights Executive Director Abiodun Baiyewu also criticized the government’s actions, warning that they are aggravating political tensions. “The government is piling on its list of atrocities, and this could backfire,” Baiyewu cautioned.
