The Department of State Services (DSS) in Nigeria has released Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), after detaining him for 15 hours.
Ajaero was apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday while en route to the United Kingdom for a Trade Union Congress (TUC) event.
Ajaero confirmed his release to Channels Television, stating that he was allowed to go home around 11 pm on Monday. However, his travel passport was seized by the DSS.
The labour leader revealed that he was interrogated over alleged terrorism financing involving a British national, Andrew Wynne. He also mentioned that police officers questioned him about the #EndBadGovernance protests that took place in August.
The NLC had condemned Ajaero’s arrest, describing it as an attempt to silence opposition voices. The union issued an ultimatum to the DSS, demanding Ajaero's release by Tuesday midnight.
They also called on all affiliates, state councils, civil society allies, and patriotic Nigerians to remain vigilant in light of this "troubling development."
The Trade Union Congress (TUC), Amnesty International, and human rights activist Femi Falana were among those who criticized the Federal Government for clamping down on the labour leader. They demanded his immediate and unconditional release.
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