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Why NLC President, Joe Ajaero Was Arrested

       Comrade Joe Ajaero

The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero was on Monday morning arrested by the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

He was on his way to London to attend the ongoing Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference when he was arrested at the airport by the DSS. 

Since the incident, DSS has refused to issue a statement on why Ajaero was arrested. 

However, a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed that the DSS may have arrested Ajaero over his refusal to appear before the police again on Thursday, September 5, alongside the General Secretary of NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja to answer questions on alleged criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause a breach of public peace, and malicious damage to property.

But a Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, declared that the arrest of Comrade Ajaero is unconnected with the earlier invitation by the Nigeria police force.

In another statement released by Falana, he disclosed that Ajaero and Ugboaja will be grilled by the Nigeria Police Force on September 30, 2024 over petitions written against the NLC.

In the petition, Airpeace had accused the duo of public disruption.

Falana, who is the counsel for the NLC wondered why the police want to proceed with the questioning despite the withdrawal of the petition by Airpeace. 

"Airpeace itself noted that it has withdrawn the petition. So, why does the police still want to quiz them on September 30? Yes, they have agreed to the September 30 extension," he added.

Another Assault
Reacting via its official X handle on Monday, the NLC described Ajaero’s arrest as an assault on Nigerian workers.

It reads: "The assault on Nigerian workers continues. President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, was arrested and abducted by men of the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International 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.

“This intimidation and assault must stop!!!”

Police Summons 
Recall that the Nigeria Police Force had on August 28, 2024, summoned Ajaero and General Secretary of NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja to appear before the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, Abuja.

The letter, which was signed on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General, Force Intelligence Department by the Commissioner of Police Ibitoye Rufus Alajide, was dated August 28, 2024 and addressed to Ajaero. 

But on August 29, 2024, Ajaero honoured the invitation and was interrogated by the police over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.

In another letter signed by the Commissioner of Police, Operations, Ibitoye Alajide, on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, Abuja, Ajaero was asked to appear again on Thursday, September 5, alongside Ugboaja to answer questions over alleged criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause a breach of public peace, and malicious damage to property.

It read: "In furtherance to the investigation on alleged criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause breach of public peace and malicious damage to properties in which you featured. 

"You are requested to come with Mr. Emmanuel Ugboaja for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID) through the undersigned, at SPO Room, Second Floor at the FID Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, Opposite Force Headquarters, Area 11, on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 11 am.

The labour leader however failed to honour the last summon, which sources believed is one of the reasons that DSS arrested him at the Airport. 

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