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NLC’s president, Joe Ajaero‘s trip to the UK was cut short in dramatic fashion as he was arrested at Abuja’s international airport. The TUC of Britain had extended an invitation for him to visit, but it seems his travel plans were not aligned with the Nigerian government’s agenda.
The NLC has sounded an alarm, putting its entire network – including affiliates, State Councils, civil society allies, and all Nigerians who care about the country’s well-being – on high alert. This move comes in the wake of Ajaero’s sudden arrest, which the union finds deeply disturbing.
Since his detention, Ajaero’s location and condition have remained a mystery, with the NLC’s efforts to contact him yielding no results. This uncertainty has heightened concerns among union leaders and supporters.
“We wish to categorically state that Comrade Ajaero has been detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument. Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. His detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body.
“His detention is a brazen act of intimidation and completely unjustified under the laws of our nation. The mere contemplation of not just stopping a lawful citizen from travelling but also sequestering his freedom is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as a people and as workers.
“This is an unmistakable demonstration of the height of lawlessness being perpetuated by the Nigerian government and its agencies in their bid to silence every voice of dissent and opposition in the country as the economic policies of the government continues to afflict the people with monumental suffering and hardship.
“Such actions are not only undemocratic but immoral as well as a direct affront to the fundamental rights of citizens and organizations to lawfully express their views and carry out their activities.
Read also: Joe Ajaero’s DSS Arrest: Insider Discloses Likely Reasons
“In light of this troubling development, the Congress puts all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert. The Congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon. Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero.
Read also: Joe Ajaero’s DSS Arrest: Insider Discloses Likely Reasons
“Furthermore, we call on the international community, human rights organizations, and all advocates of democracy to take note of this rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria. The world must bear witness to these assaults on human dignity, civil liberties, and the rule of law,” the NLC statement read in part.
In the face of state oppression, the NLC reiterated its unshakeable commitment to upholding workers’ rights and dignity, and vowed to press on with its mission undaunted.
“Once again, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero and the cessation of all forms of harassment against labour leaders and the Nigerian working class including innocent citizens who hold dissenting opinions.
“We equally demand that the state frees all Nigerians languishing in various prisons around the country for exercising their democratic rights to protest in the #EndBadGovernance rallies around the country,” it added.
The NLC announced that its key organs are gathered in a closed-door session to discuss the implications of Ajaero’s detention, with a public statement to follow once the meeting concludes.
