The Department of State Services (DSS) released Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), following intense public outrage over his arrest. Ajaero, who was detained while en route to the United Kingdom for official duties, was granted bail late Monday night. His arrest sparked widespread condemnation from civil society organizations, pro-democracy activists, and labour unions, all demanding his immediate and unconditional release.
Pro-democracy advocate and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, announced Ajaero’s release, calling the arrest a "fascist" move by the government on social media. Ajaero was apprehended at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, a development that provoked swift reactions from various groups.
The NLC issued a scathing statement condemning the arrest as "brazen and illegal," asserting that it was a direct attack on workers' rights and democratic freedoms. The NLC's National Administrative Council, led by Deputy President Adeyanju Adewale, set a midnight deadline for Ajaero's release, labeling his detention a violation of democratic values.
Ajaero’s detention also coincided with the DSS laying siege to the offices of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), an organization that had recently called for the reversal of a controversial petrol price hike. This fueled speculation that the government was cracking down on dissenting voices and activists.
Arrest Triggers National Condemnation
The arrest of Joe Ajaero was met with an outcry from various sectors across the country. Prominent organizations such as the Trade Union Congress (TUC), National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), and Amnesty International publicly demanded Ajaero’s immediate release. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) warned the government that such actions could destabilize the nation, urging President Bola Tinubu to focus on addressing the pressing issues of inflation and poverty rather than targeting union leaders.
In response to the arrest, the NLC activated its affiliates nationwide, placing all members on "red alert." The union warned that Ajaero's detention was not only an attack on its leadership but also a broader attempt to suppress the rights of Nigerian workers. The NLC further accused the government of trying to intimidate the labour movement ahead of critical negotiations on the National Minimum Wage.
Calls for Justice Amid Public Fury
Various civil rights groups, including the United Action Front of Civil Society (UAFCS), decried the DSS’s actions as an attempt to incite mass resistance and civil disobedience. The UAFCS criticized the government's "needless show of force," warning that such repression could lead to widespread unrest. Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), whose office was also targeted by the DSS, urged President Tinubu to halt the attacks on civil society.
Human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and the Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA), condemned the DSS for harassing activists and union leaders. HURIWA’s statement highlighted the growing pattern of repression under Tinubu’s administration, calling for an end to arbitrary arrests and detentions.
Political and Legal Repercussions Loom
In addition to the public backlash, prominent voices like human rights lawyer Femi Falana and other advocates called for legal action against those responsible for Ajaero’s arrest. Falana demanded accountability for the DSS’s actions, insisting that those involved in the illegal detention be prosecuted.
The broader public outrage surrounding the arrest has drawn attention to what many describe as a worrying trend towards authoritarianism in Nigeria. Civil society leaders, such as ActionAid Nigeria’s Andrew Mamedu, expressed fears that the country was returning to the dark days of military dictatorship, where citizens’ rights were routinely violated.
