NLC President Ajaero Released, Reveals Details On Arrest And Detention by DSS


By Sunshine Ofoelue


The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, unveiled details of his arrest and questioning following his release by the Department of State Services (DSS) after a 15-hour detention.


Recall that Ajaero was taken into custody on Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja as he was about to board a flight to the United Kingdom for a Trade Union Congress (TUC) event.


In an interview, he said that he was questioned about financing an alleged terrorism involving a British named Mr. Andrew Wynne.

During his detention at the DSS office in Abuja, Ajaero revealed that he was not only interrogated by DSS but also by police officers.

The police officers grilled him over his involvement in the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests that took place in August.

Ajaero’s detention led to criticism from labour unions, human rights groups, and civil society organizations.

It can also be recalled that the NLC condemned the arrest and gave the DSS a Tuesday midnight deadline to release Ajaero, threatening to mobilize its affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies to take action if he was not freed.