After hours-long detention, the Department of State Services (DSS) has released Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on bail.
Announcing Ajaero’s release, NLC wrote in a tweet on Tuesday morning: “Breaking News…..NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero Released from DSS detention. The Struggle Continues, We can’t be Silenced.”
Earlier, human rights activist and convener of #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, confirmed Ajaero’s release, saying: “The fascist regime of @officialABAT has released the @NLCHeadquarters President Joe Ajaero from @OfficialDSSNG custody on bail. The @NLCHeadquarters must declare for #FearlessInOctober #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #NoGoingBack.”
Ajaero was arrested on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom where he was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference in London, which began on Monday.
In response to his arrest, the NLC called for an urgent meeting of its National Administrative Council (NAC).
During the meeting, the union strongly condemned the arrest, viewing it as an attack on Nigerian workers and demanded Ajaero’s immediate release.
The NLC also raised concerns that this incident may be linked to attempts to delay the implementation of the new minimum wage.
It called on its members, state branches, and the public to remain vigilant, as they mobilized for further action.
Additionally, the union called for a reduction in petrol prices to ₦617 per litre.
A follow-up meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) has been scheduled for September 10 to determine the next steps in the union’s response.
Sources confirmed that Barrister Marshal Abubakar, one of the lawyers from the Femi Falana Chambers facilitated the NLC President’s bail, SaharaReporters learnt.
Reacting earlier in a press statement issued by Benson Upah, NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, the labour union strongly condemned the arrest and detention of its President.
The union said: “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.
“This is an unmistakable demonstration of the height of lawlessness being perpetuated by the Nigerian government and its agencies in their bid to silence every voice of dissent and opposition in the country as the economic policies of the government continue to afflict the people with monumental suffering and hardship. Such actions are not only undemocratic but immoral as well as a direct affront to the fundamental rights of citizens and organizations to lawfully express their views and carry out their activities.
“In light of this troubling development, the Congress puts all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert. The Congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon. Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero.
“Furthermore, we call on the international community, human rights organizations, and all advocates of democracy to take note of this rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria. The world must bear witness to these assaults on human dignity, civil liberties, and the rule of law.
“The NLC remains resolute in its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and will not be cowed by the oppressive tactics of the state. Once again, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero and the cessation of all forms of harassment against labour leaders and the Nigerian working class including innocent citizens who hold dissenting opinions.
“We equally demand that the state frees all Nigerians languishing in various prisons around the country for exercising their democratic rights to protest in the #EndBadGovernance rallies around the country.”
“Finally, the Organs of the Congress are in a closed door meeting whose outcome will be made available to the public“
