NLC President Joe Ajaero Released on Bail After Monday Arrest by DSS

Joe Ajaero, NLC President, who was arrested early Monday by DSS, has been released late Monday night on bail.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajero, who was arrested in the early hours of Monday by the Department of State Service (DSS), was released late Monday night on bail.

Although a litany of condemnations had trailed the labour leader’s arrest over yet-to-be disclosed offences as well as the invasion of the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP), allegedly by the DSS, Ajaero was released at exactly 11:05 last night, according to an Assistant Secretary of the NLC, Mr. Chris Onyeka, who confirmed the development to THISDAY in a telephone conversation.

The NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had asked the federal government to release Ajaero immediately and unconditionally, latest by midnight.

The Global rights group, Amnesty International and the United Action Front of Civil Society, had also condemned the arrest and detention of Ajaero, by the DSS, saying President Bola Tinubu was setting a new record of impunity.

But Air Peace Airlines Limited had denied any involvement in the arrest of the labour leader, contrary to speculations.

Ajaero was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja and prevented from boarding his flight to attend a scheduled meeting of the International Trade Union Congress in the United Kingdom.

There are speculations that his arrest was not unconnected with his refusal to honour invitations of the undercover police, as well as a petition against him by an airline operator.

The Service had reiterated its new public communication policy of covertness and the likelihood of studied silence over certain matters.