NLC demands immediate release of president Joe Ajaero

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of its President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, who was reportedly detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday.

According to the NLC, Ajaero was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja while en route to the United Kingdom to attend a Trade Union Congress (TUC) meeting.

Mr. Benson Upah, the NLC’s Head of Information, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja. He stated that Ajaero was taken into custody by DSS agents just before his scheduled departure to the UK, where he was expected to represent Nigerian workers at the TUC event.

In response to the arrest, the NLC has placed all its affiliates, state councils, civil society allies, and concerned Nigerians on high alert, warning that it will not tolerate the infringement of its leaders’ and members’ rights. The union has demanded Ajaero’s immediate release, denouncing his detention as an illegal and oppressive act by the state.

“The congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon,” Upah said. “We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Ajaero. The international community, human rights organizations, and all advocates of democracy must take note of this growing authoritarianism in Nigeria.”

The NLC further stated that it has been unable to ascertain Ajaero’s current whereabouts or condition, as all attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful. Upah emphasized that Ajaero’s detention, without any legal warrant or formal justification, constitutes a grave violation of democratic and natural rights.

The NLC also extended its demand for the release of all Nigerians detained for exercising their democratic rights, particularly those arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests.

The congress has convened a closed-door meeting to discuss the situation, with the outcome expected to be communicated to the public shortly.