Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) early Monday, according to sources. Ajaero is reportedly being questioned at the DSS headquarters in Abuja over allegations of terrorism financing.
A source familiar with the matter told Daily Trust that Ajaero was arrested in connection with the same accusations previously leveled against him by police.
On August 31, Ajaero responded to a police summons, appearing at the Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) office in Abuja. He was accompanied by his legal team, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana, fellow lawyer Maxwell Okpara, and human rights activists Deji Adeyanju and Marshal Abubakar, alongside senior NLC officials.
During the questioning, Ajaero was given a statement sheet and asked to respond to questions from police officers, sources said.
After his appearance, Ajaero addressed reporters, framing his questioning as part of the broader fight for workers’ rights. He reaffirmed his commitment to the labour movement.
“The labour movement is worth dying for because of our patriotism and commitment,” Ajaero said. “It is one of the biggest pan-Nigerian organizations, and our dedication to Nigeria, from the colonial era to the present, is unwavering.”
Ajaero downplayed the incident, acknowledging the challenges of his position. “This kind of job comes with hazards. It’s expected,” he said, referencing similar experiences dating back to 1998.
He reiterated the NLC’s focus on ensuring the implementation of the new minimum wage, which has yet to be enforced. “We will continue to press for its implementation and pursue anything that improves the welfare of Nigerian workers,” he said, dismissing any attempts at distraction.
