Indigenous airline, Air Peace has refuted claims linking the company to the arrest and detention of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, by the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a statement signed by the airline’s spokesperson, Omotade Makinwa, the company expressed concern that the allegations had generated negative publicity for the brand.
The statement read “Air Peace Airline expresses deep concern over recent media reports regarding the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in connection to a petition filed by the airline in September 2023. This development, which has led to negative publicity, does not reflect the current relationship between Air Peace and the NLC.
“It is important to clarify the events leading up to the petition. On the 3rd of May, 2023, the NLC disrupted Air Peace operations as part of a broader conflict with the Imo State government. Although Air Peace had no involvement in the dispute between the NLC and the Imo State government, our airline was unfortunately used as a tool to exert pressure on the government. This unlawful disruption of our services caused significant financial losses and impacted the travel plans of many Nigerians across multiple states.
“In response to this disruption, Air Peace’s legal team submitted a formal petition against the NLC to the Nigerian Police. Despite our repeated efforts to follow up on the petition, the Police failed to take prompt action.
“However, over a year later, the Nigerian Police have chosen to act on the original petition, which has now led to the alleged arrest of the NLC president. Prior to this arrest, the airline and the NLC had already reached an amicable resolution, and Air Peace had withdrawn its petition, allowing a positive working relationship to resume between the two organizations.”
Ajaero, who was arrested and detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday, was released later that same day.
He confirmed his release to our correspondent, stating that the secret police allowed him to go home around 11 p.m. on Monday.
The Nigeria Labour Congress president revealed that he had been interrogated for about 15 hours, following his arrest at around 7 a.m. at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
He also disclosed that his travel passport was confiscated by the DSS.