The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed worries over the calculated effort to suppress the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) by the Nigerian Police.
In its claims, released today, 21st August 2024, to newsmen, CISLAC’s Executive Director Auwal Musa said the invitation to Labour Leader aims at discrediting and intimidating the NLC for its unwavering stand in defending the rights of Nigerian workers.
The statement noted that on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, Labour House, home to the NLC was abruptly surrounded by heavily armed security forces, hours after the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting, where the organization condemned the forceful tactics employed during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
Noting that the more troubling part is the summons issued to NLC President Joe Ajaero, and the accusations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IRT).CISLAC stresses that it is not against legitimate investigations that requested Ajaero to report for questioning on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, but harps on a transparent process.
The organization believes that only an open and fair investigation can ensure the government’s credibility and avoid the perception that these charges are fabricated.
“Both the integrity of the NLC and the police are on the line.”
The civil society group added that while known criminals, including terrorists, kidnappers, and corrupt officials, continue to operate with seeming impunity, the police have turned their focus on peaceful protests and the voices calling for justice.
Describing it as a misdirection of resources, that risks eroding the public’s confidence in the country’s security agencies, and warned that the ongoing situation reflects poorly on Nigeria’s law enforcement priorities.
CISLAC points to a recent kidnapping involving the Emir of Gobir, in which the kidnappers brazenly demanded a ransom via video, but the police lack action in cases like these and resume to contrast with the violent crackdowns on peaceful demonstrators while echoing its concerns on misplaced priorities within the country’s security forces.
“In contrast, security forces have been recorded shooting and harming innocent protesters using live ammunition, even those outside designated protest areas, who are speaking out against issues like insecurity, hunger, and unemployment.”
CISLAC admonishes that despite the police being used to suppress protests, it has often forgotten that many of the officers still suffer from the same poor governance and substandard, as retired officers struggle to receive their due benefits amid widespread corruption.
“It is particularly disheartening that the police officers involved in these actions are themselves victims of poor governance, substandard living conditions, and loss of life, with even retired officers struggling to receive their benefits due to the corrupt system in the country.”
CISLAC argued that this escalating conflict could pose potential threats to Nigeria’s global reputation and that of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, painting it as oppressive and intolerant.
Urging the President to intervene swiftly, as the international community is watching how Nigeria handles its crisis. Consequently, the group also called on non-state actors, journalists, civil society organizations, and other unions to remain vigilant as the process unfolds.