The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has confirmed the arrest of its national president, Joe Ajaero, by officials of the Department of State Service (DSS). Ajaero was reportedly taken into custody on Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while en route to the United Kingdom for a Trade Union Congress (TUC) engagement.
According to an NLC statement, the arrest is seen as an attempt to silence Nigerian workers from demanding their rights and holding the government accountable. The NLC revealed that Ajaero is currently detained at the office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, further deepening concerns about the treatment of labor leaders under the current administration.
Ajaero’s arrest follows allegations of terrorism and comes amid growing criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s government for cracking down on rights groups. International organizations, including Amnesty International, have raised concerns about the suppression of civil liberties in Nigeria.