The Department of State Services (DSS) has granted bail to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, following his arrest on Monday morning.
Ajaero was detained by DSS operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja as he was preparing to board a flight to the United Kingdom for a Trade Union Congress conference.
The reasons behind Ajaero’s arrest remain unclear, but it is known that he and the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, had been summoned by the Nigerian Police Force for interrogation on September 5, 2024, regarding allegations of criminal intimidation, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, and malicious damage to properties.
Air Peace, an airline that had previously filed a petition against the NLC over disruptions to its operations, has since clarified that it had withdrawn its petition and that the arrest is not related to their current relationship with the NLC.
With the granting of bail, Ajaero is now released from custody, although the specifics of the conditions of his bail have not been detailed. The incident has drawn significant attention, highlighting the ongoing interactions between labour leaders and government agencies in Nigeria.
