Global rights group Amnesty International has condemned the invasion of the Abuja headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) by state-backed security operatives.
In a statement, the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said “the raid by security personnel Nigeria’s undermines workers’ rights to organise, bargain collectively and take industrial action”.
The union said heavily armed security personnel stormed and raided its head office in the nation’s capital on Wednesday night.
According to the union, the operatives stormed the Labour House, as its headquarters is called, around 8:30 pm.
Sanusi “strongly condemns the brazen invasion”, saying it “appears to be part of a sinister and calculated attack designed to intimidate the labour union”.
During the lawless raid, the armed security personnel “ransacked books at the bookshop carrying all the materials into their van claiming that the materials were used to incite and organise the recent protest.”
“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.
“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 said.
