The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has put its members on strike alert in response to the arrest of Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), by the Department of State Security (DSS).
Acting General Secretary Igwebike Dominic announced the strike alert on Monday following Ajaero’s arrest earlier that day.
The NUEE has called for Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release, condemning the action as an infringement on democratic rights.
Dominic emphasized the union’s stance, stating, “Nigeria is our collective country; our leaders should not make us live like slaves that cannot express themselves in our country.
We demand the unequivocal and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero without any harm meted out to him. We are using this medium to put all our members on alert for further directives.”
Ajaero was detained by the DSS at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en route to the Trade Union Congress (TUC) UK conference. In response, the NLC has issued a red alert to its affiliated unions, signaling the possibility of a nationwide strike and protests if Ajaero is not released.