Officials from the Nigeria Police Force clarified on Friday that they were following a suspect under investigation to a store located in the Nigerian Labour Congress building.
The NLC had accused agents from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services of entering its office in Abuja on Wednesday night.
As per a statement from NLC representative, Benson Upah, the officers detained the security guards and compelled them to surrender keys to the offices on the second level.
Upah mentioned that the officers forcibly entered the floor, rummaged through the bookstore, and took away hundreds of books and publications.
In response, the police, through a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, stated that the operation aimed at arresting a foreign individual linked to various criminal activities in Nigeria and other African nations.
Adejobi stated, “The Nigeria Police Force has taken note of a report alleging a raid by the Police on the Nigeria Labour Congress national headquarters, known as the Labour House, situated in the Central Business District, Abuja.”
“The Nigeria Police Force wants to clarify that a prominent criminal suspect in an ongoing investigation was traced to a store within the building in the Central Business District, Abuja. Detectives, possessing the necessary legal authorization, carried out an operation at the location, which happened to be the NLC building.
“This meticulously planned lawful operation was solely focused on apprehending the main suspect—a foreign national involved in numerous criminal activities in Nigeria and other African nations.’
Adejobi mentioned that the operation had no links to the NLC secretariat or leadership.
He clarified, “We stress that this operation had no correlation with the NLC, its secretariat, staff, or leadership. The NLC secretariat was not the target of the operation, which was centered on a leased store within the building utilized by the suspect as a front for his criminal operations in Nigeria.
“The Nigeria Police Force seeks the collaboration and backing of the NLC leadership as we pursue this investigation, crucial for safeguarding our nation. The suspect’s high-profile status presents a substantial security risk to Nigeria and other African countries, making this investigation vital for the well-being of all concerned, including the NLC.”