The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of its president, Joe Ajaero, who was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised an alarm following the arrest and detention of its president, Joe Ajaero, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Ajaero, who was en route to the UK on the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain, was reportedly detained by agents of the Department of State Services (DSS) without any legal warrant.

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In a statement issued by the NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, the union expressed concern over Ajaero’s whereabouts and state of health, stating that all efforts to reach him have been unsuccessful.

The union criticized the detention, describing it as an unlawful and brazen act of intimidation aimed at silencing opposition voices.

The NLC has alerted its affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies, urging them to prepare for potential action in response to what they see as an affront to the democratic and civil rights of Nigerian citizens.

The union further condemned the government’s economic policies, which they claim have caused immense hardship for the population, and called for the international community to take note of the growing authoritarianism in Nigeria.

The NLC’s statement concluded with a demand for Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release, as well as the release of all Nigerians detained for exercising their rights to protest, particularly those involved in the #EndBadGovernance rallies.