Amnesty International (AI) has lambasted security operatives over the invasion of the Abuja headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
A statement by the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said the invasion undermines workers’ rights to organise, bargain collectively and take industrial action.
NLC had said that heavily armed security personnel stormed and raided its head office in the nation’s capital on the night of Wednesday, 7 August, 2024, just as it also added that the operatives stormed the Labour House at 8:30 pm.
Reacting, the global rights group strongly condemned 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,” Amnesty said.
