The Nigeria Police Force has summoned Joe Ajaero, the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), for questioning in connection with serious allegations, including terrorism financing, cybercrime, and other related offenses.
In an invitation letter signed by ACP Adamu Muazu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, Ajaero was instructed to appear for an interview at the police headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
The letter warned that failure to comply would result in the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.
The letter states, “This office is investigating a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime in which you have been implicated. You are therefore required to report to the undersigned for an interview on Tuesday, 20th August 2024, at 10:00 hrs prompt, at Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction, Abuja, through the Team Leader on telephone no 08035179870, in connection with the above investigation. Be informed that if you fail to honour this letter, this office will have no choice but to issue a warrant for your arrest.”
At the time of this report, efforts to reach Ajaero for comments were unsuccessful.
This development comes amid heightened tensions between the NLC and the federal government. The NLC has accused the government of targeting the organization following a recent raid on its headquarters by security forces.
During a press conference in Abuja last Thursday, NLC leaders rejected the police’s explanation for the raid and demanded an apology, the return of seized items, and the release of detained individuals.
The NLC has also condemned what it perceives as government interference in its internal affairs, including proposals to reduce the tenure of trade union leaders, which the union argues would violate both national labor laws and international conventions.
The police, on their part, claimed that the raid on the NLC headquarters was part of an operation to apprehend an international terrorist suspect.
However, the NLC has dismissed this justification as a cover-up, pointing to inconsistencies in the police’s account of the incident.
This latest summons adds to the ongoing friction between the NLC and the government, raising concerns about potential escalations in the labor sector.