Amnesty International has condemned the invasion of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters in Abuja, which occurred on Wednesday night, describing it as a “sinister and calculated attack” intended to intimidate the labour union.
In a statement released on Thursday, Amnesty International’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, expressed strong disapproval of the incident, which involved a contingent of armed security personnel storming the NLC’s offices.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns the brazen invasion of the headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress by a contingent of armed security personnel. The chilling raid last night appears to be part of a sinister and calculated attack designed to intimidate the labour union,” Sanusi stated.
During the raid, security personnel reportedly ransacked the NLC bookshop, confiscating materials they claimed were being used to incite and organize recent protests.
The NLC has been a leading voice in protests against government policies, and this action is seen by many as an attempt to suppress the union’s activism.
Sanusi voiced concerns about the safety of NLC officials following the raid. He emphasized that, “We are deeply concerned about the safety of NLC officials. Under international human rights law and standards, trade unions cannot be targeted for their participating activities.”
Amnesty International stressed that Nigeria is obligated under international human rights law to respect and protect the rights of trade unions.
“Under international human rights law, Nigeria has an obligation not only to respect the rights of trade unions but also to protect these rights from abuse,” Sanusi added.
The raid has sparked widespread concern about a potential broader crackdown on labour activism in Nigeria, especially given the NLC’s prominent role in opposing government policies.
The organization’s actions are now under intense scrutiny, with many fearing that this may signal a new level of repression against dissenting voices in the country.