Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), was released late Monday by the Department of State Services (DSS) after widespread nationwide condemnation. Ajaero was arrested at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en route to a Trade Union Congress conference in London. Despite allegations of his arrest being linked to failure to honor police invitations or a petition by Air Peace, both the NLC and Air Peace refuted such claims. Air Peace clarified that their 2023 petition had long been withdrawn, and the two parties had reconciled.
The arrest has triggered outrage from several labor unions, civil rights groups, and political organizations, including the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Amnesty International, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and various labor unions. They described the arrest as an attempt to intimidate the labor movement and stifle dissent.
The NLC issued an ultimatum demanding Ajaero’s release by midnight on Monday and placed its affiliates on red alert for further actions. Legal adviser Femi Falana, SAN, confirmed that the arrest was unrelated to any prior police invitation, criticizing the DSS for not providing any reason for the detainment. Amidst the tension, calls for peaceful dialogue and respect for democratic norms were voiced by various groups, emphasizing the importance of upholding fundamental rights and freedom of expression.
