DSS Given Midnight Deadline to Free Ajaero — NLC

Joe Ajaero 

Midnight Deadline for Ajaero's Release

The Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the...

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) demands reversal of petrol price hike to N167/litre, vows to protect citizens' rights amid president Joe Ajaero's detention by DSS.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Department of State Services (DSS) an ultimatum to release its president, Joe Ajaero, unconditionally. Ajaero was taken into custody by DSS operatives on Monday, with the reasons for his arrest still unclear.

In a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting in Abuja, the NLC's National Administrative Council demanded Ajaero's immediate release, setting a deadline of “midnight today»for his freedom. The council emphasized that Ajaero's detention was unjustified and unacceptable.

According to NLC spokesperson Benson Upah, Ajaero was intercepted and taken away by DSS operatives while en route to the UK, where he had been invited to attend a conference hosted by the British Trade Union Congress.

“After extensive deliberation, the NAC resolved as follows: the Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian State without any legal warrant or justification,” the communique noted.

“The NLC notes with grave concern that Comrade Ajaero was lawfully discharging his duties to represent Nigerian workers and had not committed any offence warranting such action.

“His detention is an affront to the rights of workers and the democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.

“The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 12 midnight today.

“The Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian State without any legal warrant or justification.”

The congress alleged that Ajaero's detention was a deliberate attempt to muzzle dissent and suppress the labour movement's voice, violating workers' and citizens' fundamental rights to freedom of association, expression, and assembly.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the recent increase in petrol prices, demanding a reversal to the previous rate of N167 per litre. The labour body vowed to protect the rights of Nigerians, stating it will not stand idly by while citizens are exploited.

The NLC has announced an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) on Tuesday to discuss a course of action if its president, Joe Ajaero, is not released from detention. The meeting will determine the labour body's response to Ajaero's arrest and the government's refusal to address the plight of Nigerians.