Amnesty International’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, has vehemently condemned the invasion of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters in Abuja, describing it as a “brazen” and “calculated attack” aimed at intimidating the labour union.
The raid, which occurred on Wednesday night, saw armed security personnel ransack the NLC bookshop, confiscate materials, and claim they were used to incite and organize recent protests.
He stated, “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 expressed deep concern for the safety of NLC officials, emphasizing that trade unions are protected under international human rights law and cannot be targeted for their activities.
Amnesty International stressed that Nigeria has a binding obligation to respect and protect the rights of trade unions, and warned that the raid may be part of a broader crackdown on labour activism.
Sanusi added, “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.”
The NLC has been a vocal critic of government policies, leading protests and advocating for workers’ rights, making the raid a chilling attempt to silence their voice.
