Victor EzejaThe Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has reacted to the arrest of its national president, Joe Ajaero, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), describing it as “a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation.”
Prime Business Africa gathered that Ajaero was arrested on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to a statement by NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, the labour union’s president was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which begins today.
“This morning, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, was seized and whisked away by agents of the Nigerian State while on his way to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain,” NLC spokesperson stated.
“Comrade Ajaero was set to attend and address the global gathering of workers on behalf of Nigerian workers at the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK, a platform where critical discussions on workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness are discussed.”
The statement said the labour union is yet to ascertain the whereabouts or his state of health of the president “as all efforts we have made to get in touch with him have proved abortive.”
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The union said Ajaero was arrested and detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument and he had not been declared wanted by any law enforcement agency prior to the incident.
“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 Union emphasised.
The workers’ union said Ajaero was not only stopped from travelling but also denied his freedom which against the fundamental rights of citizens in every democratic system.
It further stated that the act is a clear “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 continues to afflict the people with monumental suffering and hardship.
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“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.”
The congress said it will not stand idly and watch while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon. It therefore demanded an “immediate and unconditional” release of Joe Ajaero.
It further called on the international community, human rights organisations, and all advocates of democracy to take note of the rising “wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria.”
While vowing to remain committed in protecting the rights of workers, NLC asked the authorities to cease all forms of harassment against labour leaders and the Nigerian working class including innocent citizens who hold dissenting opinions.
It also demanded release of all Nigerians detained in various prisons around the country for exercising their democratic rights to participate in the #EndBadGovernance protests last month.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
