Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Ajaero was reportedly apprehended on Monday morning as he was about to board a flight to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.
Although the reasons behind Ajaero’s arrest remain unclear, sources indicate that he has been handed over to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) for further investigation.
Ajaero was scheduled to attend the Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference in the UK, which is taking place today.
This development follows a series of recent encounters between Ajaero and Nigerian security agencies.
On August 20, he had responded to a summons from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force. The police had initially invited him on August 19, warning that failure to comply would result in his arrest. Ajaero, through his legal counsel, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), had written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) explaining his inability to attend on the initial date and committed to appearing on August 29.
Upon honoring the August 29 summons, Ajaero, alongside Falana and other Labour leaders, appeared at the Force Headquarters to respond to allegations, including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
Less than 24 hours later, on September 5, the Police issued another summons to Ajaero and the NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, requesting their appearance at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) of the Nigeria Police Force for questioning related to allegations of criminal intimidation, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, and malicious damage to property.
The latest arrest by the DSS adds another chapter to the growing tension between the NLC President and Nigerian security agencies.
More details are expected as the situation develops.