The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a red alert after its national president, Joe Ajaero, was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. Ajaero, who was on his way to the UK for an official assignment, was detained by DSS operatives, prompting the NLC to convene an emergency meeting of its National Administrative Council (NAC).
In a communique released after the closed-door session, the NLC condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on all Nigerian workers. The union demanded Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release by midnight, warning that the arrest could be an attempt to delay the implementation of the new minimum wage.
The NLC also called for an immediate reversal of the petrol price hike to ₦617 per litre and placed its affiliates, state councils, and the general public on high alert. In response to the situation, the NLC has scheduled an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting for Tuesday, September 10, to discuss further actions.
Key resolutions from the NLC’s emergency meeting include:
- Immediate and unconditional release of Joe Ajaero before midnight.
- Reversal of the current petrol price hike to ₦617 per litre.
- Red alert issued to all NLC affiliates, state councils, and Nigerians.
- Emergency NEC meeting scheduled for 9:00 AM on September 10, 2024.
The NLC warned the government to cease targeting dissenting voices, reaffirming its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and freedoms across Nigeria. see attached.
