"This Intimidation Must Stop": NLC Reacts as DSS Reportedly Arrests Joe Ajaero

"This Intimidation Must Stop": NLC Reacts as DSS Reportedly Arrests Joe Ajaero

  • Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was reportedly arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja
  • The NLC swiftly reacted to Ajaero's arrest, condemning it as an act of intimidation and harassment against labour representatives
  • The union emphasized that the arrest is part of a broader pattern of intimidation amid rising tensions over economic policies affecting workers

In a shocking development, Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was reportedly arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday, September 9.

According to sources, Ajaero was apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as he was en route to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.

NLC sends message addressing arrest of its president, Joe Ajaero
NLC sends message addressing arrest of its president, Joe Ajaero Photo credit: @NLCHeadquarters
Source: Twitter

Ajaero was scheduled to attend the Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference in London, which kicks off today.

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His arrest has sparked an immediate backlash from labour organizations and workers’ unions across Nigeria, who view the incident as an act of intimidation, The Punch reported.

Labour says assault against union must stop

Reacting swiftly in a post made on X, the NLC condemned the arrest of their leader.

In a statement released shortly after the incident, the union expressed outrage at what they described as the continuous harassment of Nigerian workers by security agencies.

He said:

“This intimidation and assault on workers’ representatives must stop. The president of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, was arrested by men of the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja this morning, on his way to attend an official engagement of TUC in the United Kingdom.
"He is now being detained at the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).”

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NLC told to declare nationwide strike, mass protest, as DSS arrests Joe Ajaero, details emerge

Calls for immediate release and end to harassment

The NLC is demanding the immediate release of Ajaero and has called on the government to cease its alleged assault on labour leaders.

The union insists that the arrest is part of a wider pattern of intimidation aimed at silencing the labour movement, particularly as tensions rise over economic policies affecting workers.

The statement further reads:

“The government must ensure that workers’ rights are respected, and any actions against their representatives will not be tolerated.
“We will not stand idly by while our leaders are targeted for representing the interests of Nigerian workers.”

See the post here:

Ajaero's arrest: NLC told to declare nationwide strike, mass protest

In a related development, Legit.ng reported that Hassan Taiwo Soweto, an activist who was one of the organisers of the 'End Bad Governance in Nigeria' protest, has asked the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to declare a two-day strike.

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BREAKING: Fresh headache for labour as DSS arrests NLC President Joe Ajaero

Soweto's call follows the arrest of the NLC president, Joe Ajaero, in Abuja, the Nigerian capital city, by the personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS).

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Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ezra Ukanwa avatar

Ezra Ukanwa (Editor) Ezra Ukanwa is a first-class graduate of Anchor University, Lagos. He holds a master's degree in mass communication. Ezra currently serves as the Current Affairs and Politics Editor for Legit.ng, where he covers events and provides insightful analysis and reportage on national issues. He was named best Campus Journalist (Anchor University Communications Award, 2019). Kindly contact him at: ezra.ukanwa@corp.legit.ng or +2349036989944

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