The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says Joe Ajaero, its president, has been released from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
News About Nigeria reports that Benson Upah, the NLC spokesperson, had earlier confirmed the Ajaero’s arrest.
He said Ajaero was arrested on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja as he was about to board a flight to the UK.
Upah said Ajaero’s detention thwarted his plans to “represent Nigerian workers’ interests at a pivotal international labour conference”.
“The assault on Nigerian workers continues. President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, was arrested and abducted by men of the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport Abuja this morning on his way to attend an official engagement of TUC United Kingdom and he is now detained at the office of the NSA,” the NLC said in a statement.
“This intimidation and assault must stop!!!”
The NLC said it demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the Ajaero before midnight on Monday.
They also added that the union has alerted all its affiliates, state councils, and Nigerian workers to remain vigilant and on high alert.
The labour union said that it has scheduled a meeting of its national executive council (NEC) for Tuesday to determine a response if Ajaero is not released.
However, the NLC announced the release of its president in a terse statement on Tuesday on its official X page.
“NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero Released from DSS detention. The Struggle Continues, We can’t be Silenced,” the NLC wrote on X.
