By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
EARLIER TODAY, agents of the Department of State Services (DSS) detained the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Ajaero was enroute to the United Kingdom (UK) to attend the Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference in London when he was apprehended.
The arrest was confirmed by the NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah, who spoke on Channels Television, noting that Ajaero had sent a message confirming that the DSS was responsible for his arrest.
However, the union has not been informed of his current whereabouts.
In a statement issued by the NLC, the union condemned Ajaero’s detention, asserting that it occurred without any legal warrant or formal documentation.
The NLC described the detention as an act of intimidation aimed at silencing the labour movement.
The statement read: “Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive, and his detention is a brazen act of lawlessness.
Stopping a lawful citizen from travelling and seizing his freedom is an affront to our democratic rights.”
This arrest follows a recent police invitation on August 28, during which Ajaero was questioned over allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, and cybercrime.
He was released after the interrogation.
The NLC had previously accused the government of using these actions to intimidate labour leaders, threatening nationwide protests in response.
Arrest Condemned
Amnesty International Nigeria has also weighed in, condemning the continued harassment of Ajaero and calling on the government to respect the rights of labour leaders under international human rights law.
Members on Alert
The NLC has placed its members and affiliates on high alert, demanding the immediate release of Ajaero, while also calling on the international community to take note of what it termed a rising tide of authoritarianism in Nigeria.
The union has vowed not to be intimidated by what they describe as oppressive state tactics.
He was later released about 11.00pm but his E-passport remains withheld by the DSS till the issues get resolved.
