NLC’s Ajaero released as DSS buckles under backlash
Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), has been released after his arrest, on Monday, by officials of the Department of State Service (DSS).
The DSS, so far, hasn’t stated the reason for his arrest. Cornet News had reported that the secret police seized the Labour leader at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while trying to board a flight to the United Kingdom.
Ajaero’s arrest had triggered a public rebuke from the NLC, its Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart and opposition political parties against the President Bola Tinubu-led government.
The NLC had deplored what it described as “the rising wave of authoritarianism” of the government while it gave a 12 midnight deadline for Ajaero’s release. Sensing that the Labour union and its affiliates might call for a strike, the DSS opted to grant Ajaero an administrative bail.
Prior to his Monday’s arrest, Ajaero had been questioned by the Nigeria Police Force.
The police, after they had raided the NLC headquarters in Abuja and carted away alleged “seditious materials”, would accuse Ajaero of committing treasonable acts.
The police had initially said that they were at the NLC building to arrest a Briton, who owns a bookshop, inside the building. According to the law enforcement, the Briton was involved in a plot to subvert the government.
