ICPC Operatives Raid IHS Towers Office in Abuja During Human Rights Event, Staff Reportedly Held Inside
Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) reportedly stormed the IHS Towers office in Wuse 2, Abuja, on Thursday in the middle of a World Human Rights Day presentation, according to eyewitness accounts.
Sources at the scene said the ICPC officers forced their way into the building where Amnesty International personnel were delivering a talk to commemorate World Human Rights Day, which is marked annually on December 10.
Eyewitnesses said the operatives confiscated more than 40 mobile phones, laptops, and smartwatches belonging to people inside the office. They also allegedly prevented anyone from leaving or entering the building, effectively trapping Amnesty International staff and other employees inside.
According to the reports, two Amnesty International staff members were still inside the premises at the time of the latest updates. One source claimed that ICPC officers threatened to open fire on anyone who tried to exit the office or enter the building during the disruption.
The ICPC has not issued an official statement on the incident. Meanwhile, the situation caused panic among those attending the event, with some describing the atmosphere as tense after the raid interrupted the Human Rights Day presentation.
IHS Towers, a major telecommunications infrastructure company that began operations in Nigeria in 2001, has regional offices in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Enugu, Asaba, Kano, and Port Harcourt.