Amnesty International Nigeria has strongly condemned what it describes as a targeted campaign by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) against the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and other union leaders.
The global humanitarian organization expressed deep concern over fresh allegations of terrorism financing leveled against Ajaero, labeling them as an attempt to intimidate and undermine the union.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Director, Isa Sanusi, criticized the Nigerian authorities for their ongoing actions, calling them a blatant violation of human rights and freedom of association.
Sanusi stated, “Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the Nigerian authorities’ fresh attempts to further intimidate and harass Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) through threats of arrest of its President Joe Ajaero. We urge the authorities to end this pattern of brazen impunity and respect the right of the labour unions to agree or disagree with government and its policies.”
The organization highlighted that under international human rights law and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the freedom of association is guaranteed, and workers should not be targeted for their involvement in trade union activities. Sanusi emphasized the Nigerian government’s obligation to not only respect but also protect workers’ rights from abuse.
Amnesty International’s statement comes on the heels of NLC’s threat to initiate a nationwide strike if Ajaero is detained by the police. The group expressed alarm at what it described as increasing attempts by the Nigerian government over the past year to silence the NLC by using state institutions to discredit and weaken the union.
Sanusi recounted a series of incidents aimed at intimidating the NLC and its leadership, including the November 2023 attack where Ajaero was allegedly beaten and blindfolded by police in Owerri, with no one held accountable.
Additionally, Sanusi noted that the police recently raided the NLC headquarters, seizing documents and forcing union leaders into hiding.
“The Nigerian government is clearly and unlawfully interfering with the functioning of an independent workers union, by targeting its leaders with baseless accusations that are gradually crippling the activities of the union,” Sanusi remarked.
On Monday, the NPF invited Ajaero for investigation over allegations including terrorism financing, treasonable felony, cybercrime, and other related offences.
Amnesty International has called for an immediate end to what it termed a “bizarre crackdown” on the nation’s labour leaders, asserting that the allegations are punitive measures aimed solely at deterring and punishing the NLC for defending workers’ rights.