The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has come forward to dispute claims surrounding the recent arrest of its President, Joe Ajaero, by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The NLC stated that reports alleging Ajaero ignored an official DSS invitation before his arrest are “untrue” and “mischievous.”
Ajaero was apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while he was on his way to London for a conference hosted by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of the UK.
The incident sparked considerable controversy and prompted responses from various government bodies, including the Presidency, which emphasized that “no one is above the law” and reiterated that Ajaero should have respected the security agency’s request.
In response to the widespread narrative that Ajaero deliberately snubbed the DSS invitation, the NLC has taken steps to clarify the circumstances leading to his detention.
The labour union firmly stated that disregarding official summons is out of character for Ajaero, who has shown consistent respect for authority in the past.
This statement from the NLC aims to correct the public record and reduce tensions surrounding the arrest, highlighting the ongoing dialogue between national security agencies and labor representatives.
NLC, in the statement by its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, said, “Our attention has been drawn to a story (circulating in different media platforms) linked to ‘sources within the agency (DSS)’ that preceding his arrest, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, was invited by the DSS but that he did not honour the invitation.
“The ‘sources’ further added that it was reason for his arrest at the airport on his way to the UK.
“In the days preceding his arrest, Congress President had had a discussion with the Director-General, DG, DSS on a courtesy visit.
“A Director in the agency later called the General Secretary of the Congress on the need to fix a date for the courtesy visit. The General Secretary however explained to him that he would not be available until Friday (September 13).
“The said Director assured him they would give Congress leadership a notice of not less than 48 hours for the visit.
“The DG DSS last spoke with Comrade Ajaero on Saturday night during which Ajaero told him he would be travelling the next day, Sunday, adding that the courtesy visit would be paid after his return on Friday, September 13.
“The Congress President, however, missed his flight on Sunday and had it rescheduled to Monday, September 9th.
“It was on that Monday morning he was picked up by the operatives of the DSS in a watch list operation on behalf of a sister agency.
“We want to re-affirm that Joe Ajaero is a law-abiding citizen heading the biggest pan-Nigerian organisation with an illustrious history of patriotism and will certainly not snub the DSS.
“He is a trade unionist of international repute, who serves on the executive boards of world federations of trade unions. His constituency goes beyond Nigeria.”
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