The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied allegations that its agents raided the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters in Abuja.
DSS spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunanya, dismissed the accusations on Thursday, stating that the department was not involved in the raid.
In a brief statement, Afunanya said: “Good morning, dear friends. Please note that the Service (DSS) did not carry out any operation at the NLC office in Abuja.”
According to a statement released by the NLC earlier, armed individuals, allegedly affiliated with the DSS, raided their office on Wednesday, seizing multiple documents.
The NLC said the incident took place at approximately 8:30 p.m. when operatives allegedly forced their way into the Labour House.
The Head of Media and Public Relations at NLC, Mr. Benson Upah, stated that the assailants ransacked the bookshop on the second floor, seizing hundreds of books and other publications.
Upah said: “The invading team claimed that they were searching for seditious materials allegedly used during the #EndBadGovernance protests.”
The NLC, however, noted that it could not immediately ascertain the full extent of the items taken during the raid.
The group denounced the incident as an illegal raid and called for the immediate removal of security personnel from its premises.
The NLC said: “The Nigeria Labour Congress condemns this new low in security operations in Nigeria in its entirety.”
“The armed security operatives showed no legal documents permitting them to invade the premises of the Nigeria Labour Congress at the ungodly hour of the night.”
The group also voiced its shock and disappointment, pointing out that even during the era of military dictatorship, the NLC secretariat was never violated in such a manner.
Leave a comment