By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),
Mr Joe Ajaero has been released on administrative bail hours after his detention by the Department of State Services (DSS)
He was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on his way to the United Kingdom. Ajaero’s arrest had drawn sharp criticisms from political parties, civil society groups, and labour who condemned the government’s action as an affront on democracy and workers’ rights.
Ajaero’s arrest occurred as he was en route to London for the Trade Union Congress conference. His release came just before a midnight ultimatum issued by the NLC, which had threatened a nationwide strike if their leader was not freed. The NLC also demanded a reversal of the recent hike in petrol prices to ₦617 per litre, further escalating tensions.
The news of Ajaero’s release was announced by pro-democracy activist Omoyele Sowore via a post on social media platform X. Sowore described the arrest as an overreach by the current administration under President Bola Tinubu, calling it a “fascist” action.
Political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), expressed outrage over Ajaero’s detention and the DSS raid on the office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, criticized the government’s focus on suppressing dissent rather than addressing pressing issues like hunger and economic hardship.
The NLC convened an emergency meeting following Ajaero’s arrest. The union’s National Administrative Council condemned the arrest as illegal and an attack on the rights of workers and democratic principles. In a communiqué, the council called for Ajaero’s immediate release and warned that they would not tolerate further infringements on workers’ rights.
Labour unions and civil society organizations, including the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, also condemned the arrest, describing it as a clear violation of Ajaero’s fundamental rights. Amnesty International and human rights lawyer Femi Falana added their voices to the growing opposition, with Amnesty International calling the arrest a signal of a growing crackdown on civil liberties in Nigeria.
The post by Amnesty International on their X handle on Monday read, “Amnesty International received a disturbing report of the unlawful invasion of the Abuja office of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by operatives of DSS. President Bola Tinubu is going too far in his government’s repressive efforts to gag dissenting voices.”
The DSS has yet to provide an official explanation for Ajaero’s detention, though sources within the agency suggested that his arrest was linked to a security-related petition filed against him. However, Falana has challenged the DSS to release the details of the petition, emphasizing the need for transparency in the matter.
Falana said, “Let the DSS provide details of the petition. If they say it is a matter of national security then let them give you a copy of that petition. It is very simple.”
