The Nigeria Police Force has stated that the raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was targeted at a wanted foreigner who is also on the radar of many countries but uses the Labour House Building as front for his criminal activities.
The police, however, said that NLC members were not the target of the raid, clarifying that the unnamed suspect rented a shop at the same vicinity.
Making the clarification in a statement on Friday, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said, “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to clarify that a prime criminal suspect in an ongoing investigation was traced to a shop within the building (NLC) in the Central Business District, Abuja.
“Detectives, armed with the appropriate legal authority, conducted an operation at the location, which turned out to be the NLC building. This well-coordinated, lawful operation was solely aimed at apprehending the prime suspect—a foreign national implicated in numerous criminal activities across Nigeria and other African countries,” the police said.
Adejobi further said, “We emphasise that this operation had no connection with the NLC, its secretariat, staff, or leadership. The NLC secretariat was not the focus of the operation, which was targeted at a rented shop within the building used by the suspect as a front for his criminal activities in Nigeria.
“The Nigeria Police Force seeks the cooperation and support of the NLC leadership as we continue this investigation, which is vital to safeguarding our nation. The high-profile nature of the suspect poses a significant security threat to Nigeria and other African nations, making this investigation crucial for the safety of all involved, including the NLC.”
The statement restated Police commitment to upholding the rule of law, maintaining professionalism, and respecting human rights in the discharge of its statutory duties.
“We also urge Nigerians to remain vigilant and to conduct security profiling of individuals seeking to rent space within their premises,” Adejobi said.
Recall that the NLC had on August 7, 2024 alleged that officers of the Nigeria Police Force, along with some individuals in plain clothes raided the Labour House.
