The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero.

Ajaero was apprehended on Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while en route to the United Kingdom for an official engagement, according to the NLC.

Mr Benson Upah, Head of Information for the NLC, confirmed the arrest to Channels Television.

Ajaero was scheduled to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which commenced today. Upah further explained that the union is unaware of Ajaero’s current location, though he managed to send a message confirming that the DSS had taken him into custody.

In a statement released later by the union, it was revealed that the NLC president had been detained. The statement partly read: “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 agency. The mere contemplation of not just stopping a lawful citizen from travelling but also depriving him of his freedom is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as citizens and as workers.”

His arrest and detention occurred about a week after he honoured a police invitation on August 28. He was released the following day after complying with the invitation.

The NLC President was initially summoned by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), over allegations of “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”

The police invitation read: “In furtherance of investigations into the alleged case of criminal intimidation, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, and malicious damage to properties, in which your name featured, you are requested to appear along with Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), through the undersigned, at SPO’s Room 12, 2nd Floor, Force Intelligence Department (FID) Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, opposite Force Headquarters, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, on Thursday, 5th September 2024 at 11 am.”

The invitation also included instructions to contact a police officer on arrival.

Additionally, the union’s Secretary-General, Emmanuel Ugboaja, was summoned. Ajaero, accompanied by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and others, reported to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

Following the meeting with the police, Ajaero returned to the NLC headquarters, where he addressed a gathering of NLC members who had come to show solidarity. In his speech, Ajaero described the labour movement as the most patriotic organisation in the country, vowing that the union would never compromise its integrity, regardless of the challenges it faces.

His police summons had sparked controversy, with the NLC and other labour unions accusing the Federal Government of trying to intimidate labour leaders. This followed a police raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja.

Before Ajaero’s appearance at the police headquarters, union members had gathered at the NLC headquarters in solidarity with their president, condemning the police action and labelling the allegations against Ajaero as politically motivated attempts to silence organised labour.

Concerned about the possible detention of Ajaero, the NLC leadership warned that it would initiate a nationwide strike if their president was detained.

Deputy President of the Congress, Comrade Minjibir Ado, issued the warning following an emergency meeting of the group’s National Executive Council on August 20. The union also accused the Federal Government of harassing its leaders, placing its members and affiliates on high alert in response.