The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has convened an emergency closed-door meeting in response to the arrest of its president, Joe Ajaero, by the Nigerian government.
Benson Upah, Head of Public Relations for the NLC, confirmed the meeting on Monday, condemning Ajaero’s detention as a “brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation.”
Ajaero was taken into custody by agents of the Nigerian State without a legal warrant or formal instrument, and his current whereabouts and health status are unknown.
The NLC has demanded his immediate and unconditional release, calling on the international community, human rights organizations, and democracy advocates to take note of the rising authoritarianism in Nigeria.
The arrest occurred as Ajaero was set to address the Trade Union Congress in the UK, representing Nigerian workers on critical issues like workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness. The NLC has put its affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies on high alert, vowing to protect workers’ rights and resist oppressive tactics.
In a tweet, the union stated, “The assault on Nigerian workers continues, the President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero was arrested and abducted by the men of DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja this morning on his way to attend an official engagement of the TUC United Kingdom and he is now detained at the office of the NSA.”
https://x.com/NLCHeadquarters/status/1833096984799904149?t=tX_rAACNBCqDm5UBw057hw&s=19
The outcome of the emergency meeting will be made public soon, as the NLC continues to mobilize against the government’s actions.
