In the early hours of Tuesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) announced the release of its president, Joe Ajaero, from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The news broke at 1 a.m. through the union’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, much to the relief of supporters and labor advocates across the country.
Ajaero had been arrested on Monday while at the airport, as he was preparing to board a flight to London.
The circumstances surrounding his arrest are still unclear, and the NLC has yet to provide further details on the reasons for his detention or the conditions of his release.
The arrest of Ajaero, a key figure in Nigeria’s labor movement, drew widespread attention and raised concerns about the treatment of union leaders and labor rights in the country.
Many had anticipated swift action from the DSS given Ajaero’s prominence and the potential for unrest within the labor sector.
The NLC is expected to provide a more comprehensive statement in the coming hours as Nigerians continue to seek clarity on the situation.