The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described the arrest of its president, Joe Ajaero, as an assault on Nigerian workers.
Confirming the arrest in a post on its official X handle, the NLC said “The assault on Nigerian workers continues. President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, was arrested and abducted by men of the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, this morning on his way to attend an official engagement of TUC United Kingdom, and he is now detained at the office of the NSA.
“This intimidation and assault must stop!!!”
In August, the Nigeria Police Force invited and interrogated Ajaero over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
He was arrested by the DSS on Monday on his way to the United Kingdom to attend a global workers’ gathering.
Following the development, the NLC went into a closed-door meeting.
The union has also demanded Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release.
Meanwhile, a civil society organisation, the United Action Front of Civil Society has condemned Ajaero’s arrest, describing it as a “needless show of force” and an attempt to cause national anarchy.
According to the organisation, Ajaero, as a high-profile citizen and leader, should have been treated with decorum and courtesy, rather than being subjected to “dehumanising tactics.”
