Ajaero’s Arrest Saga: DSS Yields to Pressure as NLC Prepares for Showdown

The Department of State Services (DSS) granted administrative bail to Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), just minutes before the organized labour’s midnight deadline. Omoyele Sowore, a pro-democracy activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, confirmed the release in a tweet on Monday night, writing, “BREAKING: The fascist regime of @officialABAT has released the @NLCHeadquarters President Joe Ajaero from @OfficialDSSNG custody on bail.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP) condemned President Bola Tinubu’s administration on Monday in response to Ajaero’s detention and the DSS raid on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project’s (SERAP) Abuja headquarters. Ajaero was detained on Monday morning at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport while en route to the United Kingdom for an official assignment. He was due to attend the Trade Union Congress convention in London, which starts today.

In addition, the DSS raided SERAP’s Abuja office, purportedly intending to talk with the rights group’s directors. In response, the NLC conducted a closed-door meeting with stakeholders in Abuja on Monday, demanding Ajaero’s immediate release and urging all chapters to plan for a possible statewide strike.

Following the meeting, NLC Deputy President Adeyanju Adewale issued a statement describing the detention as “brazen and illegal” and a “affront to the rights of workers and democratic principles.” The council demanded Ajaero’s release by midnight on Monday and the reversal of the recent petrol price increase to N617 per litre. The NLC said that it has put its affiliates, state councils, and civil society supporters on high alert, warning that they would not accept the violation of workers’ rights.

The communiqué read, “The National Administrative Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress convened an emergency meeting today to address the alarming and unlawful arrest and detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, by Nigerian government agents.” Comrade Ajaero was arrested and detained at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport while on his way to the United Kingdom, where he was scheduled to attend and address the Congress of the Trade Union Congress of Britain, representing Nigerian workers in critical discussions about workers’ rights and social justice.”

The National Labour Council underlined its commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights and against tyranny, urging the government to stop its “dangerous trend” and implement the new National Minimum Wage.