The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has been released by the Department of State Services (DSS) after hours of interrogation. Speaking to our correspondent, Ajaero confirmed his release, stating that he was allowed to leave around 11 p.m. on Monday.
Ajaero was detained for approximately 15 hours, following his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at around 7 a.m. on Monday. However, despite his release, his travel passport was confiscated by the DSS. The labour leader also revealed that, during his detention, some police officers were present at the DSS office to question him about the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests that took place in August.
In addition to this, Ajaero was interrogated over alleged terrorism financing involving a British citizen, Andrew Wynne. He had been on his way to the United Kingdom for a Trade Union Congress (TUC) event when he was apprehended at the Abuja airport.
The NLC swiftly condemned Ajaero’s arrest and demanded his release by midnight on Tuesday. In response to this “troubling development,” the union also alerted all its affiliates, state councils, civil society allies, and patriotic Nigerians to remain on high alert.
Several groups and individuals, including the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Amnesty International, and human rights lawyer Femi Falana, criticized the Federal Government for its actions against the labour leader. They called for Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release.
This recent arrest follows an incident in late August when Ajaero was summoned by the police regarding allegations of terrorism financing, a charge he firmly denies. It’s also worth noting that last November, he was arrested in Imo State while preparing to lead a protest over unpaid salaries and other labour issues.
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