The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has confirmed the arrest of its President, Joe Ajaero, who was en route to the United Kingdom on Monday.
Benson Upah, Head of Information and Public Affairs for the NLC, stated that Ajaero was detained by Nigerian state agents while traveling to address workers at the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK.
“This morning, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, was seized and whisked away by agents of the Nigerian State while on his way to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.
The NLC President was scheduled to speak at a major global workers’ conference focusing on workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness.
“Comrade Ajaero was set to attend and address the global gathering of workers on behalf of Nigerian workers at the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK, a platform where critical discussions on workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness are discussed. We are yet to ascertain his whereabouts or his state of health as all efforts we have made to get in touch with him have proved abortive,” the statement partly reads.
The NLC has criticised Ajaero’s detention as unjustified and illegal, noting that he was held without a legal warrant or formal charge.
The Congress condemned this action as a severe violation of democratic rights and an attempt to suppress dissent. They accused the Nigerian government of using intimidation tactics to silence opposition amid ongoing economic challenges facing the country.
The NLC has called for Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release and urged international human rights organisations to address this growing authoritarianism in Nigeria.
The Congress stated it is on high alert and has mobilised its affiliates and supporters to demand justice for Ajaero and other Nigerians detained for exercising their democratic rights.
A closed-door meeting of the NLC will determine further actions, with outcomes to be announced publicly.