President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, was released by the Department of State Services (DSS) late midnight Monday, a senior member of the Congress’ National Administrative Council (NAC), told Nigerian Tribune.
The NAC member said that Ajero was not tortured by the operatives of the Department of State Service. “He is in good condition. He was not tortured nor was any physical pain inflicted on him.”
Meanwhile, the National Executive Council (NEC): consisting of all affliate unions of the NLC, will meet today, Tuesday to take a decisive decision against the arrest of the labour centre leader.
Ajaero’s arrest earlier on Monday sparked widespread criticism against the President Tinubu-led government and concern among labour leaders and activists across the nation, with many viewing the actions of the government as an attempt to intimidate organised labour and suppress growing discontent over economic policies.
The NLC National Administrative Council (NAC) swiftly condemned Ajaero’s detention, calling it an “assault on labour rights and an attack on the freedom of association.”
NAC expressed outrage, stating that the arrest was “a clear attempt to intimidate the leadership of the NLC for demanding workers’ rights and speaking truth to government against anti-labour policies that have plunged millions of Nigerians into hardship.”
The council emphasized that the NLC will not be cowed into submission by threats or harassment. “This unlawful arrest of our president shows the extent to which the state is willing to silence dissent. But let it be known that labor movements are built on struggle, and we will not be deterred,”
