TUE SEPT 10 2024-theGBJournal| The Department of State Security (DSS) has released the detained President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero following a barrage of condemnation and public backlash.
The DSS arrested and detained Ajaero Monday at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja, on his way to attend an official engagement of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the United Kingdom and was detained at the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The NLC in a short post on its X handle, confirmed Ajaero’s release late Monday evening.
”NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero released from DSS detention….The Struggle Continues, We can’t be Silenced,” the NLC said.
Ajaero’s detention drew condemnation from numerous civil society organizations and the public in general including the Amnesty International, PLAC-the independent, non-partisan, non-profit capacity building organization as well as the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
All of the organizations demanded the immediate release of the NLC leader and condemned his arrest.
Responding to the arrest, Amnesty International said “the arbitrary arrest of Joe Ajaero shows an escalating crackdown on human rights and restrictions on civic space by the government of President Bola Tinubu.”
Amnesty also flayed President Tinubu, saying the President is setting a new record of utter disregard for the rule of law.
The NLC rose from an emergency closed door meeting called after Ajaero’s arrest to push for his release with a slew of demand that includes the reversal of the petrol price hike.
The NLC equally condemned the arrest and arguing that ”Ajaero has been detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument”
X-@theGBJournal|Facebook-the Government and Business Journal|email:gbj@govbusinessjournal.com|govandbusinessj@gmail.com
