Abuja, Sept. 9, 2024 – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is holding an emergency meeting following the arrest of Joe Ajaero, its President.
Benson Upah, its Head of Public Relations Department, disclosed this on Monday.
He said The Congress was holding a closed-door meeting to discuss the situation, and the outcome will be made public soon.
Upah said Ajaero was arrested without a legal warrant or formal instrument, and his whereabouts and health status are currently unknown.
He said Ajaero was to address the Trade Union Congress in the UK on behalf of Nigerian workers, discussing critical issues like workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness
“The Congress has also called on the international community, human rights organizations, and democracy advocates to take note of the rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria.
“The NLC has put its affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies on high alert and vowed to protect workers’ rights and not be cowed by oppressive tactics,” he said.
The Department of the State Service (DSS) arrested Ajaero at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Monday morning while he was about to board a flight to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.
He was billed to attend a TUC meeting in the United Kingdom.
Sources also said he had been handed over to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
