By Kingston Magare
Nigeria Labour Congress has demanded the release its president, Mr. Joe Ajaero who was arrested by the Department of State Services Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport in Abuja.
The NLC after a meeting of its national administrative council warned the Federal government of the consequences of not releasing Mr. Ajaero before Monday midnight adding that it’s national executive council will meet on Tuesday morning to respond to his continued detention.
“After extensive deliberation, the NAC resolved as follows: The Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian State without any legal warrant or justification,” the NLC said in a statement signed by its deputy president, Prince Adewale Adeyanju.
“The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 12 midnight today. The Council reiterates that Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive or a criminal, and his detention is an act of intimidation aimed at silencing dissent and stifling the labor movement’s voice in Nigeria.
“NAC also demands the immediate reversal of the current hike in the price of petrol to N617/Litre.
” The Congress places all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on red alert. The detention of Comrade Ajaero is an attack not just on the NLC leadership but on the rights of all workers and citizens to organize, protest, and express themselves freely.
“The NLC will not stand by while these rights are trampled upon. This provocation is another attempt by the State to scuttle the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage.”
Meanwhile, the DSS has reportedly explained why Ajaero was arrested.
According to sources within the agency, Ajaero was taken into custody on Monday morning due to his failure to honour an invitation extended to him by the DSS.
The invitation, which was sent last week, was related to a petition filed by top NLC leaders against Ajaero.
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