DSS Arrests, Detains NLC President Joe Ajaero
Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has been arrested by the Department of State for Security (DSS).
According to the NLC, Ajaero was arrested at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday while on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.
Mr. Benson Upah, NLC’s Head of Information, confirmed the arrest to Channels Television.
Today marks the beginning of the NLC president’s attendance at the Trade Union Congress convention in London.
Upah claimed that, while the union is unclear of Ajaero’s whereabouts, he sent a message claiming that the DSS was responsible for his imprisonment.
The union later issued a statement confirming the incarceration of the NLC president.
The statement said in part, “We wish to explicitly say that Comrade Ajaero has been held without any legal warrant or proper document. Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. Because no law enforcement agency has proclaimed him wanted, his arrest is an outright act of illegality and intimidation.
His incarceration is a flagrant act of intimidation that is entirely unjustified by our country’s laws. The mere thought of not only prohibiting a lawful citizen from going but even seizing his liberty is an assault to our democratic and natural rights as a people and workers.”
His arrest and custody occurred almost a week after he accepted a police invitation on August 28. Following the invitation, the police released him the next day.
The Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) first invited the NLC President in response to claims of “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”
We are looking into potential criminal intimidation, conduct that could disrupt public order, including intentional damage to properties where your name appears.
The undersigned requests that you accompany Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja to an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 11 a.m., in SPO’s Room 12, 2nd Floor, Force Intelligence Department (FID) Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, opposite Force Headquarters Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
“Upon arrival, you may wish to contact Mr. Usman at 08039659139. The police have kindly sought your cooperation in this situation.
The union also invited Emmanuel Ugboaja, the secretary general.
Ajaero reported to Force Headquarters in Abuja, where he was joined by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, and others.
Following the invitation, Ajaero returned to the NLC offices and addressed a gathering of NLC members who had assembled in sympathy with him.
In his speech, Ajaero praised the labour movement as the most patriotic organisation in the country, stressing that the union would not compromise its patriotism regardless of the challenges it faced.
His police invitation sparked outrage, with the NLC and other unions accusing the Federal Government of seeking to intimidate labour leaders.
The invitation came following a police night raid on the NLC’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Prior to accepting the offer, labour members had assembled at the NLC offices to show support with their president and denounce the police invitation.
The council condemned Ajaero’s charges as politically motivated and fabricated in order to silence organised labour.
They claimed that Ajaero’s police invitation was too short and requested that his appearance be postponed.
Fearing for Ajaero’s safety, the NLC leadership promised to launch a statewide strike if he was detained.
The union accused the federal government of harassing its leaders and has issued a red alert to its members and affiliates.
Comrade Minjibir Ado, Deputy President of the Congress, issued the warning following an emergency meeting of the organization’s National Executive Council on 20 August.
Amnesty International Nigeria, a global humanitarian organisation, also criticised the police attack on Ajaero.
Isa Sanusi, the organization’s director, issued a statement on August 20 characterising the Nigerian authorities’ claims of terrorism financing against Ajaero and its leaders as an attempt to scare the unions.
The international group’s reply follows the NLC’s warning to launch a statewide strike if the police jail Ajaero.
Sanusi stated, “Amnesty International is gravely disturbed by the Nigerian authorities’ renewed attempts to intimidate and harass the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) through threats to arrest its President, Joe Ajaero. We encourage the authorities to put an end to this trend of brazen impunity and to respect labour unions’ right to agree or disagree with the government’s policies.
International human rights law and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights provide freedom of association and ban discrimination against workers who participate in trade union activities.
The Nigerian government have a responsibility to protect workers’ rights and prevent abuse.