The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Ajaero was detained on Monday morning while on his way to London for the Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference, which is set to begin today.
The NLC confirmed Ajaero’s arrest through a post on its official X handle, describing the incident as an attack on Nigerian workers.
The post stated, “The assault on Nigerian workers continues. President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, was arrested and abducted by men of the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, this morning on his way to attend an official engagement of TUC United Kingdom, and he is now detained at the office of the NSA.
“This intimidation and assault must stop!!!”
The arrest follows previous interactions between Ajaero and security agencies. The Nigeria Police Force had earlier summoned Ajaero over allegations including terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
These allegations surfaced after a police raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja.
Authorities suspect a connection between Ajaero and a Briton named Andrew Wynne, who has been accused of funding the recent #EndBadGovernance or #Hunger protests aimed at allegedly destabilizing the government of President Bola Tinubu.
Ajaero’s troubles began when he first appeared before the police on August 29.
Following this, the police requested him to appear again on September 5, alongside the NLC General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja. They were to address allegations of criminal intimidation, actions likely to breach public peace, and malicious damage to property.
The letter read: “In furtherance of investigations into the alleged case of criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause breach of public peace and malicious damage to properties in which your name featured, you are requested to come along with Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, FID, through the undersigned, at SPO’s Room 112, 2nd Floor, Force Intelligence Department (FID) Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, opposite Force Headquarters Area 11, Garki, Abuja on Thursday, 5th September 2024 at 11 am.”
