The police in a statement signed by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer on August 7, 2024, was reacting to claims made by the NLC Head of Media and Public Relations, which suggested that police officers, alongside individuals in black T-shirts and plain clothes, had raided the Labour House.
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the reports of raiding the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) National Secretariat, known as the Labour House, located in Abuja's Central Business District.
The police in a statement signed by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer on August 7, 2024, was reacting to claims made by the NLC Head of Media and Public Relations, which suggested that police officers, alongside individuals in black T-shirts and plain clothes, had raided the Labour House.
Clarifying the situation, the police stated, "A prime criminal suspect in an ongoing investigation was traced to a shop within the building in the Central Business District, Abuja."
"The operation, which was conducted by detectives armed with the appropriate legal authorities, inadvertently led them to the NLC building.
However, the police emphasised, "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 Nigeria Police Force stressed that the 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 statement added.
The police also called for cooperation from the NLC leadership as the investigation continues.
"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 police noted.
Reaffirming their commitment to professionalism and respect for human rights, the police urged Nigerians to remain vigilant. "We also urge Nigerians to remain vigilant and to conduct security profiling of individuals seeking to rent space within their premises," the statement concluded.