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.
“BREAKING: The fascist regime of @officialABAT has released the @NLCHeadquarters President Joe Ajaero from @OfficialDSSNG custody on bail,” 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.

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•DSS Arrests NLC President, Joe Ajaero

•DSS Occupies SERAP Office In Abuja

In response to its president’s arrest, the NLC held a closed-door meeting with stakeholders in Abuja on Monday, demanding Ajaero’s immediate release and instructing all chapters to prepare for a potential nationwide strike.

The NLC’s National Administrative Council in a statement issued after its meeting by Adeyanju Adewale, NLC’s deputy president, described the detention as “brazen and illegal” and an “affront to the rights of workers and democratic principles.”

The council demanded Ajaero’s 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 workers’ rights were trampled upon.