BREAKING: NLC Convenes Emergency Meeting After Ajaero’s Arrest, Next Line of Action to be Announced

BREAKING: NLC Convenes Emergency Meeting After Ajaero’s Arrest, Next Line of Action to be Announced

  • Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, was detained by Nigerian authorities without a legal warrant while en route to a global workers’ gathering in the UK
  • he NLC has condemned the detention as a “brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation” and is demanding Ajaero’s immediate release
  • The Congress has called on the international community to take note of the rising authoritarianism in Nigeria and is currently holding a closed-door meeting to address the situation

In a dramatic turn of events, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, was detained by Nigerian authorities while en route to the United Kingdom to attend a global workers’ gathering.

The NLC has since convened a closed-door meeting to address the situation.

Nigerian Labour Congress meets privately Amid Ajaero’s arrest
Nigerian Labour Congress meets privately Amid Ajaero’s arrest. Photo credit: NLC
Source: Twitter

Benson Upah, Head of Public Relations for the NLC, disclosed the incident in an interview on Monday.

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According to Upah, agents of the Nigerian State apprehended Ajaero without presenting a legal warrant or formal instrument. His current whereabouts and health status remain unknown.

The NLC has vehemently condemned the detention, labeling it a “brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation.” The organization has demanded Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release.

NLC meets privately after Ajaero’s arrest

“The Congress has also called on the international community, human rights organizations, and democracy advocates to take note of the rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria,” Upah stated.

Ajaero was scheduled to address the Trade Union Congress in the UK, where he planned to discuss critical issues such as workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness on behalf of Nigerian workers.

In response to the detention, the NLC has mobilized its affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies, placing them on high alert. Upah emphasized that the Congress is committed to protecting workers’ rights and will not be intimidated by oppressive tactics.

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“The Congress is currently holding a closed-door meeting to discuss the situation, and the outcome will be made public soon,” Upah added.

DSS arrests NLC President Joe Ajaero

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to reports making the rounds on Monday, September 9, Ajaero was arrested this morning, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.

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Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Basit Jamiu avatar

Basit Jamiu (Editor) With more than 5 years of experience in the media (Ikeja Bird, Prime Progress, The Movee), Basit Jamiu works as an editor at Legit Nigeria. He started his journalism career after graduating from Ekiti State University in 2018. He is a 2024 Open Climate Fellow (West Africa), 2023 MTN Media Fellow, OCRP Fellow at ICIR, and Accountability Fellow at CJID. He can be reached via basit.jamiu@corp.legit.ng.

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