The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of its president, Joe Ajaero, who was apprehended by security agents on Monday.
Ajaero was detained at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en route to the United Kingdom at the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.
A statement signed by the NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, said the union has put all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert in the light of “this troubling development.”
According to the statement, Ajaero has been detained and his whereabouts or his state of health are yet to be ascertained “as all efforts we have made to get in touch with him have proved abortive.”
“We wish to categorically state that Comrade Ajaero has been detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument. Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. His detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body.
“His detention is a brazen act of intimidation and completely unjustified under the laws of our nation. The mere contemplation of not just stopping a lawful citizen from travelling but also sequestering his freedom is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as a people and as workers.
“This is an unmistakable demonstration of the height of lawlessness being perpetuated by the Nigerian government and its agencies in their bid to silence every voice of dissent and opposition in the country as the economic policies of the government continues to afflict the people with monumental suffering and hardship.
“Such actions are not only undemocratic but immoral as well as a direct affront to the fundamental rights of citizens and organizations to lawfully express their views and carry out their activities.
“In light of this troubling development, the Congress puts all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert. The Congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon. Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero.
“Furthermore, we call on the international community, human rights organizations, and all advocates of democracy 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,” the NLC statement read in part.
The union said it remains resolute in its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and will not be cowed by the oppressive tactics of the state.
“Once again, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero and the cessation of all forms of harassment against labour leaders and the Nigerian working class including innocent citizens who hold dissenting opinions.
“We equally demand that the state frees all Nigerians languishing in various prisons around the country for exercising their democratic rights to protest in the #EndBadGovernance rallies around the country,” it added.
The NLC also revealed that the Congress’s governing bodies are currently in a closed-door meeting, and the results of their discussions will be shared with the public.