The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced the release of its President, Joe Ajaero, who was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) earlier this week. Ajaero, who was apprehended at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday morning while heading to the United Kingdom for a Trade Union Congress event, was freed late Monday night after several hours of questioning.
Benson Upah, NLC’s head of information, confirmed the release to Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), noting that Ajaero was let go at 11:10 PM following intense pressure from the NLC and civil society groups. The NLC had set a deadline for Monday midnight for Ajaero’s release, which was met just in time. His detention was part of a broader crackdown that reportedly included an invasion of the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by the secret police.
Ajaero’s arrest and subsequent release have sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and activists, who criticized the federal government for its actions. The NLC and other organizations continue to call for transparency and accountability in the handling of such cases.
