DSS Bows To Pressure, Releases Ajaero
An administrative bail has been granted to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero by the Department of State Services.
He was released a few minutes before the 12midnight ultimatum issued by the organised labour.
His release was announced on Monday night by pro-democracy activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore.
โBREAKING: The fascist regime of @officialABAT has released the @NLCHeadquarters President Joe Ajaero from @OfficialDSSNG custody on bail,โ he wrote on X.com.
Osun Defender reports that Ajaero was arrested on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.
The NLC president was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which begins today.
Following his arrest, the DSS also raided the Abuja office of SERAP in Abuja.
Reports indicate that the officers were seeking to speak with the directors of the rights group.
READ ALSO
โขDSS Arrests NLC President, Joe Ajaero
โขDSS Occupies SERAP Office In Abuja
In response to its presidentโs arrest, the NLC held a closed-door meeting with stakeholders in Abuja on Monday, demanding Ajaeroโs immediate release and instructing all chapters to prepare for a potential nationwide strike.
The NLCโs National Administrative Council in a statement issued after its meeting by Adeyanju Adewale, NLCโs deputy president, described the detention as โbrazen and illegalโ and an โaffront to the rights of workers and democratic principles.โ
The council demanded Ajaeroโs release by 12 midnight on Monday and also called for the reversal of the recent petrol price hike to N617/Litre.
The NLC disclosed that it had placed its affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies on red alert, warning that it would not stand by while workersโ rights were trampled upon.
