UPDATED: Intimidation, Assault, NLC Condemns Ajaero’s Arrest

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has confirmed the arrest of its National President, Joe Ajaero, by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja this morning. Ajaero was scheduled to attend the Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference in the United Kingdom.

A statement today, on its verified social media platform X, reveals that Ajaero is currently detained at the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), but it does not specify the reason for his detention. The NLC has condemned the arrest, calling it intimidation and an assault on Nigerian workers.

The NLC had previously warned that it would shut down the country if Ajaero was detained or arrested. This warning followed an emergency meeting of the NLC’s National Executive Council in Abuja, which came after a police invitation on charges including criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, and cybercrime.