“Why I Was Arrested By DSS” – NLC President, Joe Ajaero Speaks After His Release

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on administrative bail.

Joe Ajaero’s release came just before the midnight deadline set by the organized labour.

His release was confirmed by Omoyele Sowore, a pro-democracy activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, who announced it on social media Monday night.

“BREAKING: The fascist regime of @officialABAT has released the @NLCHeadquarters President Joe Ajaero from @OfficialDSSNG custody on bail,” Sowore tweeted.

Ajaero was allowed to leave the DSS office around 11 pm on Monday, after being detained and questioned for about 15 hours since his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja around 7 am that day.

The NLC president, who disclosed this to Channels TV, also revealed that the DSS seized his travel passport.

Ajaero said although he was held by the DSS, police officers also questioned him at the DSS office about the #EndBadGovernance protests that took place across the country in August.

He was also interrogated regarding alleged terrorism financing linked to a British national, Andrew Wynne.

KanyiDaily recalls that Joe Ajaero was arrested while attempting to travel to the United Kingdom on Monday to attend a Trade Union Congress (TUC) event.

His arrest was strongly criticized by the NLC, which demanded his release before midnight on Tuesday and called on all affiliates, state councils, civil society allies, and Nigerians to remain vigilant in response to the situation.

The TUC, Amnesty International, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, and others condemned the Federal Government’s actions and demanded Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release.

Joe Ajaero had previously responded to a police invitation over similar terrorism financing allegations in late August, where he maintained his innocence.

The NLC president was also assaulted and detained in November of last year in Imo State while preparing to lead a protest against unpaid workers’ salaries and other issues.