The Department of State Services (DSS) has released the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, after detaining him for approximately 15 hours.
Ajaero, who was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja around 7 am on Monday, confirmed his release to our correspondent.
According to Ajaero, he was freed at around 11 pm on the same day, but the DSS seized his passport, preventing him from traveling. The labour leader had been on his way to the United Kingdom to attend an event organized by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) when he was apprehended.
While in DSS custody, Ajaero revealed that he was interrogated not only by the secret police but also by some police officers who questioned him about the #EndBadGovernance protests that took place across the country in August.
Additionally, he was grilled over allegations of terrorism financing, which allegedly involved a British national, Andrew Wynne.
In response to Ajaero’s arrest, the NLC condemned the move and issued an ultimatum, demanding his release by midnight on Tuesday. The union also placed all its affiliates, state councils, civil society groups, and patriotic Nigerians on high alert, describing the situation as deeply concerning.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC), global rights organization Amnesty International, and prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana were among those who criticized the Federal Government for the arrest and demanded Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release.
This is not the first time Ajaero has faced arrest. In November of last year, he was detained in Imo State while attempting to lead a protest over unpaid workers’ salaries and other issues. Despite the accusations, Ajaero has consistently maintained his innocence, including following a previous police invitation in late August over the same allegations of terrorism financing.
