The recent release of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero came after intense pressure from local and international bodies. Ajaero was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday, while on his way to the UK to attend a Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference.
Labour unions in Nigeria, civil society organizations (CSOs), and international trade unions rallied in response, threatening nationwide strikes and protests. Organizations such as the Public Service International (PSI), International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and IndustriALL Global Union (IGU) applied external pressure, urging their respective governments to act against Nigeria for alleged human rights abuses.
The NLC had already planned for a nationwide strike, awaiting approval from the National Executive Council (NEC) before Ajaero’s release. The strike was set to protest his detention and the broader issue of union repression in the country.
Ajaero, recounting his experience with the DSS, said he was interrogated by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and the DSS about his connections with various individuals and groups, including the Labour Party and #EndBadGovernance protesters. He expressed frustration at what he described as continued efforts by security agencies to intimidate and persecute union leaders in Nigeria.
The coordinated pressure from both local and international bodies led to Ajaero’s release just before the nationwide strike was due to begin.
