The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), after a brief detention that sparked outrage from labour unions.
Ajaero was arrested on Monday, September 9, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while en route to the UK for a Trade Union Congress (TUC) meeting.
He was released on bail after 11:00 p.m. the next day, following threats of nationwide protests from the NLC.
According to credible sources within the labour union, as reported by the Nigerian Tribune, Ajaero’s release came after the NLC threatened to mobilise nationwide protests.
The union had set a deadline for midnight on Tuesday, September 10, warning of potential industrial action if Ajaero remained in detention.
In a strongly worded statement, NLC spokesperson Benson Upah criticised the arrest, saying:
“The congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon.
Accordingly, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Ajaero.”
However, the DSS has yet to issue a formal statement explaining the reasons for Ajaero’s arrest.
Sources within the agency hinted that the Labour leader knew the reasons behind his detention, but the motives remain unclear.
Tensions escalated as the NLC alerted its affiliate unions, preparing for a national showdown with the federal government.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the labour movement and gove
rnment authorities as workers’ unions respond to perceived violations of their leaders’ rights.
rnment authorities as workers’ unions respond to perceived violations of their leaders’ rights.“We will not stand idly by while our leaders are intimidated and harassed,” said Benson Upah. “We will take all necessary actions to protect their rights and interests.”
The NLC’s threat of nationwide protests was seen as a significant escalation of tensions between the labour movement and government authorities.
The DSS’s silence on the matter has only added to the uncertainty, leaving many to wonder about the motives behind Ajaero’s detention.
