From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed deep concern over recent allegations by the Nigerian Police, which it perceives as an attempt to silence the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
CISLAC is alarmed by what it describes as efforts to incriminate, silence, and blackmail the leadership of the NLC, which has been actively advocating for the rights and well-being of Nigerian workers.
In a press statement issued by CISLAC’s Executive Director, Mallam Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organization recalls that on August 7, 2024, the NLC headquarters, known as Labour House, was invaded by heavily armed security personnel.
This raid occurred just hours after an NLC National Executive Council meeting where members criticized the heavy-handed tactics used by security agents during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
Moreover, NLC President Joe Ajaero has been summoned by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) on charges including “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.” The official letter demands that Ajaero appear for questioning on August 20, 2024, at the IRT Complex in Guzape District, Abuja.
While CISLAC does not oppose police investigations, it insists that they must be conducted in an open and transparent manner. The organization stresses that the investigation should be transparent to assure Nigerians that the government is not fabricating allegations.
Both the integrity of the NLC and the police are at stake, and only through a credible investigation can trust in security agencies be restored.
CISLAC points out that many Nigerians are frustrated by the government’s failure to effectively address the activities of known criminals, including terrorists, kidnappers, bandits, and corrupt officials.
The recent kidnapping of the Emir of Gobir and the bandits’ ransom demands underscore the inefficacy of the police in dealing with such crimes, raising serious concerns about their effectiveness.
In contrast, CISLAC notes, security forces have been recorded using live ammunition against innocent protesters, even those outside designated protest areas, who are speaking out against issues such as insecurity, hunger, and unemployment.
This misuse of force reflects a troubling misplacement of priorities, and CISLAC urges the police to demonstrate that they are not being used to undermine legitimate dissent.
CISLAC also highlights that many police officers themselves suffer from poor governance, substandard living conditions, and inadequate benefits due to systemic corruption. The organization’s concerns extend to the potential damage this situation could inflict on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, potentially harming Nigeria’s international reputation.
The statement concludes by advising that the President should address these issues personally to prevent further damage to his administration’s image.
CISLAC also warns non-state actors to be alert, as desperate politicians might attempt similar tactics to frame journalists, civil society organizations, and other democratic institutions. The integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions is at serious risk.