The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced the arrest of its President, Joe Ajaero, by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja. According to the NLC’s statement, Mr. Ajaero was arrested while on his way to attend an official engagement of the TUC in the United Kingdom and is currently being detained at the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The NLC has been having running battles with the federal government over alleged clampdowns by security agencies. Mr. Ajaero has denied claims by the government that he was spearheading a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, stating, “I urge the government not to criminalise peaceful protests in Nigeria.”
The SSS has not officially spoken about the arrest, as its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, was recently redeployed without a replacement being announced.
