UPDATED: DSS Apprehends NLC President, Joe Ajaero

UPDATED: DSS Apprehends NLC President, Joe Ajaero

Operatives from the Department of State Services have apprehended the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero.

Reports indicate that Ajaero was detained on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en route to the United Kingdom for an official engagement.

It has been revealed that Ajaero was scheduled to participate in the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which is commencing today.

The NLC, in a statement through its official communication channel,X, condemned Ajaero’s arrest as an attack on Nigerian workers.

It reads, “The assault on Nigerian workers continues. President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, was arrested and abducted by men of the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, this morning on his way to attend an official engagement of TUC United Kingdom, and he is now detained at the office of the NSA.

“This intimidation and assault must stop!!!”

Earlier, the Nigeria Police Force had summoned and questioned Ajaero regarding allegations of financing terrorism, engaging in cybercrime, involvement in subversive activities, criminal collaboration, and treasonable offenses.

The police’s action followed a night-time raid on the NLC’s national headquarters in Abuja.

Law enforcement alleges a connection between the labor leader and a British individual, Andrew Wynne, who stands accused of funding the recent #EndBadGovernance or #Hunger demonstrations in the country aimed at purportedly destabilizing President Bola Tinubu’s government.

After Ajaero’s initial appearance on August 29, the police, in a subsequent communication signed by the Commissioner of Police, Operations, Ibitoye Alajide, acting on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, directed Ajaero to reappear on Thursday, September 5, alongside the NLC General Secretary, to address suspicions of criminal intimidation, actions likely to incite public disorder, and intentional property damage.

The letter read: “In furtherance of investigations into the alleged case of criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause breach of public peace and malicious damage to properties in which your name featured, you are requested to come along with Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, FID, through the undersigned, at SPO’s Room 112, 2nd Floor, Force Intelligence Department (FID) Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, opposite Force Headquarters Area 11, Garki, Abuja on Thursday, 5th September 2024 at 11 am.”