The Nigeria Labour Congress has begun an emergency closed-door meeting over the arrest of its president, Joe Ajaero, by the Nigerian government.
The Head of Public Relations, NLC, Benson Upah, made this known on Monday.
According to Upah, agents of the Nigerian State seized Ajaero without a legal warrant or formal instrument, and his whereabouts and health status are currently unknown.
The NLC has condemned the detention as a “brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation” and demanded Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release.
“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.”
Ajaero was set 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.
Upah said, “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.
“The Congress is currently holding a closed-door meeting to discuss the situation, and the outcome will be made public soon.
The union in a tweet wrote:
“The assault on Nigerian workers continues, the President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero was arrested and abducted by the men of DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja this morning on his way to attend an official engagement of the TUC United Kingdom and he is now detained at the office of the NSA.”
