The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the arrest of its president, Joe Ajaero, by the operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) and demanded his unconditional release.

The NLC president was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as he was about to fly to the United Kingdom for a TUC meeting.

In a statement shortly after Mr Ajaero’s arrest, the congress’ spokesman, Benson Upah, described Mr Ajaero’s arrest as lawlessness by the Bola Tinubu-led government and its agencies.

”The congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon. Accordingly, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade  Ajaero,” said Mr Upah.

He said the NLC had put all its affiliates on alert and urged the international community and rights organisations “to take note of this rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria.”

” The world must bear witness to these assaults on human dignity, civil liberties, and the rule of law.”

Mr Upah said the congress was yet to ascertain its president’s whereabouts or state of health,  as all efforts made to contact him had proved abortive.

” We wish to categorically state that Comrade Ajaero has been detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument.

“His detention is, therefore, a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body,” he said.

He said the NLC also demands the release of all Nigerians languishing in various prisons nationwide for exercising their democratic rights to protest in the #EndBadGovernance demonstration.

“Finally, the organs of the congress are in a closed-door meeting whose outcome will be made available to the public,” he said.

The NLC reiterated its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and vowed not to be cowed by the government’s oppressive tactics. 

(NAN)