DSS Arrests, Detains NLC President Joe Ajaero

The Department of State for Security (DSS) has arrested the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero.

Ajaero was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Aiport in Abuja, on Monday on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment, the NLC said.

Head of Information of the NLC, Mr Benson Upah, confirmed the arrest to newsmen.

The NLC president was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which begins today.

Upah said the union does not know where Ajaero had been taken but he had sent a message saying it was the DSS that arrested him.
A statement by the union later said the NLC president had been detained.

The statement read in part “We wish to categorically state that Comrade Ajaero has been detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument. Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. His detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body. His detention is a brazen act of intimidation and completely unjustified under the laws of our nation. The mere contemplation of not just stopping a lawful citizen from travelling but also sequestering his freedom is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as a people and as workers.”

His arrest and detention came about a week after he honoured an invitation by the police on August 28. He was released the following day after honouring the invitation.