By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday arrested President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero.
He was picked at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Ajaero was en route to the United Kingdom to attend the Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference, which is set to commence on Monday 9th September.
The NLC confirmed the arrest via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, describing the incident as an “assault on Nigerian workers.” According to the union, Ajaero was detained without any formal warrant and taken to the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
“This intimidation and assault must stop!” the NLC stated in its post, decrying what it described as an escalating crackdown on labor leaders and civil rights activists.
Ajaero’s detention follows earlier confrontations with law enforcement. The Nigeria Police Force had previously interrogated him regarding allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treason. His name was also linked to the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, with authorities suggesting possible ties to foreign actors. Despite these investigations, Ajaero had not been declared wanted, and there was no arrest warrant prior to his detention.
Union and Civil Society Reactions
The NLC issued a strongly-worded statement condemning Ajaero’s arrest as an attempt to silence dissent. Benson Upah, Head of Information and Public Affairs at the NLC, called the detention “a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation.” The union demanded Ajaero’s immediate release and warned that such actions could escalate tensions between labor groups and the government.
The United Action Front of Civil Society, a coalition of pro-democracy groups, also criticized the arrest, calling it a “needless show of force.” The group warned that the arrest of such a high-profile figure could spark nationwide unrest.
“The DSS has resorted to dehumanizing tactics,” the group said in a statement. “This Gestapo-like behavior is unacceptable in a democratic society.”
DSS Arrest Unrelated With The Police Invitation
Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and legal counsel for the NLC, confirmed that Ajaero’s arrest by the DSS was unrelated to previous invitations by the Nigeria Police Force. Falana revealed that the labor leader had rescheduled an earlier police invitation for questioning, and no immediate legal basis for his detention by the DSS had been provided.
“The invitation to Comrade Joe Ajaero by the police was rescheduled last week. I have contacted the police authorities. The arrest is not related to the police invitation.”
“Comrade Ajaero was on his way to London to attend the ongoing TUC Conference when he was arrested at the airport this morning by the SSS. No reason has been provided for the arrest by the SSS.” Falana said.
Calls for Ajaero’s Release
The NLC has called for the immediate release of its president, urging international human rights organizations and pro-democracy groups to take note of what they describe as rising authoritarianism in Nigeria. Civil society groups have similarly warned that continued detention of Ajaero could lead to mass protests and civil disobedience.
The arrest has drawn significant attention, with many viewing it as part of a broader attempt to stifle labor movements and opposition voices in Nigeria. The NLC has vowed not to back down, signaling that tensions between the government and labor unions may further escalate in the coming days.
