Ajaero Not Invited By DSS Before Arrest – NLC
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) claims its President, Joe Ajaero, was not invited by the Department of State Services (DSS) prior to his detention.
Benson Upah, NLC spokesman, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday.
“Our attention has been drawn to a story (circulating in different media platforms) linked to “sources within the agency (DSS)” that preceding his arrest, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress was invited by the DSS but that he did not honour the invitation,” the statement read.
According to the “sources,” he was arrested at the airport while on his way to the UK. We want to clarify the following facts: Prior to his detention, the Congress President met with the DG DSS as a courtesy.
“The agency’s Director contacted the General Secretary of Congress to schedule a courtesy visit.” The General Secretary informed him that he would not be available until Friday (September 13). The Director informed the Congress leadership that they would provide at least 48 hours notice for the visit.
Ajaero was arrested on Monday at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport while on his way to the United Kingdom on an official assignment, according to the NLC.
See the complete statement below:
Disregard these stories.
According to “sources within the agency (DSS),” Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, was invited by the DSS prior to his detention, but did not accept the offer.
According to “sources,” this was the basis for his arrest at the airport while travelling to the UK.
We’d want to put the record straight as follows: Prior to his detention, the Congress President met with the DG DSS as a courtesy. The agency’s director contacted the General Secretary of Congress to schedule a courtesy visit. The General Secretary informed him that he would not be available until Friday (September 13). The Director informed the Congress leadership that they would provide at least 48 hours notice for the visit.
The DG DSS last spoke with Comrade Ajaero on Saturday night. He informed him that he would be leaving the following day, Sunday, and that the courtesy visit would be paid upon his return on Friday, September 13.
The Congress President, however, missed his trip on Sunday and had it rescheduled for Monday, September 9th.
On Monday morning, the DSS picked him up as part of a watch list operation for a sister agency.
We wish to reaffirm that Joe Ajaero is a law-abiding citizen who leads the largest pan-Nigerian organisation and has a long history of patriotism. He would not ignore the DSS. He is an internationally renowned trade unionist who serves on the executive boards of global trade union federations. His constituency extends beyond Nigeria.
He is not known for disregarding invitations, as evidenced by his response to the police invitation.
Benson Upah
Head of Information and Public Affairs