NLC Asks Police to Provide Proof of Link with Terrorists

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has challenged the Nigerian Police to come up with evidence of its link to any terrorist.
Apparently not satisfied with explanations given by the Police for the last week’s raid of its headquarters, NLC said that the authorities should go ahead apologize for the, “desecration” of the Labour House.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, NLC’s Head of Information and Public Affairs Comrade Benson Upah said that government should stop all acts of harassment and intimidation of labour unions in country.
On the alleged police invasion of its headquarters, NLC said that the country has never witnessed such an act even during the military era, adding that it amounted to desecration of an office that is dear to the workers.

He said: “We continue to demand for an apology from the police and federal government for the unlawful raid of our headquarters.
“We are not aware of any terrorist in our midst. However, if government knows of one it should come out with facts and proof it is sure of instead of making the country the butt of jokes in the international circuit.

“We challenge the police to show proof of our relationship (landlord-tenant or otherwise) with this alleged terrorist.”
Speaking further Upah said: “The police claimed our security staff made statements to them. This is another falsehood. On the contrary, it was the police that signed a document at the main gate before they were allowed in.
“We want to reiterate that even though we are the owners of barricades, we did not participate in the End-Hunger protest. Government therefore should not rope us into something we knew nothing about.

“Accordingly, we ask government to release those in its custody including a NUEE executive (Comrade Opalua Eleojo) who was arrested at a social spot in Abuja”.
NLC spokesman said the labour movement found the Police claims  “contradictory,  self-serving and  face-saving and intended to cover up  their blunders.
“What were the security personnel doing on the 10th floor when the shop they were after was on the 2nd floor? They said they were after this “international crook of foreign descent” and yet came hours after offices had closed.

“Between the materials they took away and the terrorist, which had more value?
“If the police truly had credible intelligence and if Congress was not their target, what was wrong in taking the leadership of Congress into confidence. And if they felt that would jeopardise the operation, couldn’t they have confided in the leadership at H-hour?
“We continue to demand for an apology from the police and federal government for the unlawful raid of our headquarters.
“We are not aware of any terrorist in our midst. However, if government knows of one it should come out with facts and proof it is sure of instead of making the country the butt of jokes in the international circuit.”

NLC Spokesman said the union runs a patriotic organisation and will not engage in any terrorist activity.
He however said that in the event that the government or police fails to offer apology for the unwarranted invasion of the Labour House, the Labour movement reserves the right to take all legitimate means including withdrawal of workers’ services.