By Amofokhai Williams
In a shocking development, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was arrested and detained by the Nigerian government on Monday.
According to an official statement released by the NLC, Ajaero was apprehended by the Department of States Services (DSS) while en-route to the United Kingdom, where he was scheduled to attend a major international labour event organized by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.
Ajaero was set to represent Nigerian workers at the global congress, where discussions on workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness were expected to take center stage.
His unexpected detention has left the NLC, as well as the Nigerian public, in the dark about his whereabouts and condition.
Attempts by the NLC to contact Ajaero have been unsuccessful.
In its press release, the NLC condemned the action, describing it as a blatant violation of the law.
“Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. His detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation,” the statement read.
The Congress strongly criticized the government for what it sees as a continued pattern of suppressing dissent and violating the fundamental rights of citizens.
The NLC’s leadership has called for immediate action, urging civil society, state councils, and Nigerians to be on high alert.
They are also calling on the international community and human rights organizations to take notice of what they describe as “a rising wave of authoritarianism” in Nigeria.
“This is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as a people and as workers. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero,” the statement continued.
The Congress also warned of further actions, as the NLC leadership is currently in a closed-door meeting to decide on the next steps.
The NLC further linked Ajaero’s detention to broader efforts by the government to stifle opposition, referencing the economic hardship Nigerians face and the state’s response to the #EndBadGovernance protests.
They reiterated their commitment to defending workers’ rights and expressed solidarity with all Nigerians unlawfully detained for exercising their right to protest.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from the Nigerian government regarding the NLC’s demands.
The nation waits anxiously for further developments in this escalating situation.
