DSS releases NLC chairman Joe Ajaero

Ajaero, who was arrested on Monday, September 9 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, en route to the United Kingdom for a Trade Union Congress (TUC) meeting, was released on bail after 11pm the following day.

The union had set a deadline of midnight on Tuesday, September 10, warning of possible industrial action if Ajaero remained in detention.

In a strongly worded statement, NLC spokesperson Benson Upah criticised the arrest, saying: “The Congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are violated. This is why we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Ajaero.”

The DSS has yet to issue an official statement explaining the reasons for Ajaero’s arrest. However, sources within the agency have suggested that the Labour leader is aware of the reasons for his detention.

Tensions escalated when the NLC alerted its affiliated unions, preparing for a national confrontation with the federal government.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the labor movement and government authorities as workers’ unions respond to perceived violations of their leaders’ rights.

The DSS has remained silent on the arrest, so the reasons for Ajaero’s detention remain unclear, even as the NLC celebrates his release.