The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has commenced a closed-door meeting following the arrest and detention of its President, Joe Ajero, by security agents.
NLC’s Head of Public Relations, Benson Upah, made this known in a statement on Monday, saying that the outcome of the meeting will be made known to the public at conclusion.
According to Upah, agents of the Nigerian State seized Ajaero without a legal warrant or formal instrument, and his whereabouts and health status are currently unknown.
He said that Ajaero was set to attend and address the global gathering of workers on behalf of Nigerian workers at the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK before his arrest.
Upah condemned Ajaero’s detention, saying that it is “a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body.”
“This is an unmistakable demonstration of the height of lawlessness being perpetuated by the Nigerian government and its agencies in their bid to silence every voice of dissent and opposition in the country as the economic policies of the government continues to afflict the people with monumental suffering and hardship.
“Such actions are not only undemocratic but immoral as well as a direct affront to the fundamental rights of citizens and organizations to lawfully express their views and carry out their activities.”
The NLC scribe said the union has put all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert in the light of “this troubling development.”
He went ahead to demand for the immediate and unconditional release of Ajaero.
