NLC President Joe Ajaero (file image)
Baba: Ajaero’s arrest reminds us of the military era when activists and labour leaders were regularly hounded and thrown into jail for speaking truth to power
By Valentine Amanze
The Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF) has described the arrest and detention of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on Monday as a bad omen for Nigeria’s democracy even as it urged President Bola Tinubu to order his release from the custody of the Directorate of State Services (DSS).
Ajaero who was on his way to the United Kingdom to address workers under auspices of the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain, was seized at the airport and whisked away by agents of the Nigerian State, according to the Head of Information and Public Affairs of the NLC, Benson Upah, in a statement issued on Monday.
The gathering in UK is a platform where critical discussions on workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness are discussed. As at the time of this statement, the NLC president’s where about was not known.
Also read: DSS detains NLC President, Joe Ajaero
The arrest of Ajaero came on the heels of the invasion of the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by operatives of the DSS.
Executive Director of CFSF, Comrade Sani Baba said: “We find this development very disturbing. Democracy, free speech and freedom of association are now on trial.
“Comrade Ajaero’s arrest reminds us of the military era when activists and labour leaders were regularly hounded and thrown into jail for speaking truth to power.
“We demand his immediate and unconditional release.”
Comrade Baba urged the President to order the release of Ajaero and caution the DSS from further actions that brew discontent in the land.
Meanwhile, Ajaero has been released by the DSS without his international passport and other relevant documents.
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