Breaking news: The Department of State Services (DSS) detained Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero on Monday at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as he was preparing to depart for the UK on a formal assignment. However, Ajaero has since been released.
The NLC announced his release early Tuesday via their official X (formerly Twitter) account, reaffirming their stance against what they described as intimidation tactics meant to silence the labor movement. The NLC demanded Ajaero’s unconditional release by Monday at noon, stating that his arrest was unwarranted, as he was neither a criminal nor a fugitive.
In response to Ajaero’s detention, the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) issued a communiqué calling for an immediate reversal of the recent hike in petrol prices to N617 per litre, as well as the immediate implementation of the newly signed national minimum wage. The communiqué also condemned Ajaero’s arrest and affirmed that the labor movement will not be silenced.
Prior to his arrest, Ajaero had honored a police invitation on August 28 regarding allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, and cybercrime. He was released the next day. On September 5, Ajaero and NLC Secretary General Emmanuel Ugboaja were summoned to appear before the Deputy Inspector General of Police over charges of criminal intimidation and breach of public peace.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved a N70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers, but its implementation has faced delays, despite agreements during extensive negotiations.
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