The Department of State Services (DSS) has come under heavy attacks from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Amnesty International (AI) over the arrest of NLC President Joe Ajaero.
Also, the secret police also raided the office of the Socio-Economics Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in Abuja same day.
Ajaero was arrested by the DSS operatives Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja while on his way to the United Kingdom where he was billed to attend the TUC conference in London, which began 24 hours ago.
The development came some 12 days after Ajaero appeared before the police as a response to allegations bordering on terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
Amid several inquiries by Blueprint, the secret police kept sealed lips over the development as at the time of this report.
But on its side, the NLC described Ajaero’s arrest as an assault and a ploy to silent the Nigerian workers.
…Ajaero’s travails
Consequent upon Ajaero’s interrogation over an alleged link with a Briton, Andrew Wynne accused of financing the August #EndBadGovernance protest and alleged ploy to topple the federal government, police declared Wynne and one Nigerian wanted.
Still not satisfied with the labour leader’s response, the police, in yet another letter signed by the Commissioner of Police, Operations, Ibitoye Alajide, on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, Abuja, asked him to appear again Thursday, September 5, alongside with the NLC General Secretary “to answer questions over alleged criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause a breach of public peace, and malicious damage to property.”
“In furtherance of investigations into the alleged case of criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause breach of public peace and malicious damage to properties in which your name featured, you are requested to come along with Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, FID, through the undersigned, at SPO’s Room 112, 2nd Floor, Force Intelligence Department (FID) Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, opposite Force Headquarters Area 11, Garki, Abuja on Thursday, 5th September 2024 at 11 am,” the letter read.
…Arrest a bid to silence our voice – NLC
Condemning the arrest in a statement, the NLC said: “The assault on Nigerian workers continues. President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, was arrested and abducted by men of the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, this morning on his way to attend an official engagement of TUC United Kingdom, and he is now detained at the office of the NSA.
“This intimidation and assault must stop!!!”
The union claimed Ajaero was detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument, describing it as a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation.
The statement signed by NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs Benson Upah said Ajaero’s whereabouts was unknown as all efforts made to get in touch with him remained futile.
“This morning, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, was seized and whisked away by agents of the Nigerian State while on his way to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain. Comrade Ajaero was set to attend and address the global gathering of workers on behalf of Nigerian workers at the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK, a platform where critical discussions on workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness are discussed. We are yet to ascertain his whereabouts or his state of health as all efforts we have made to get in touch with him have proved abortive.
“We wish to categorically state that Comrade Ajaero has been detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument. Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. His detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body. His detention is a brazen act of intimidation and completely unjustified under the laws of our nation. The mere contemplation of not just stopping a lawful citizen from travelling but also sequestering his freedom is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as a people and as workers.”
While calling for the immediate release of their president, the NLC said: “In light of this troubling development, the Congress puts all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert. The Congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon. Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero.
“Furthermore, we call on the international community, human rights organisations and all advocates of democracy to take note of this rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria. The world must bear witness to these assaults on human dignity, civil liberties, and the rule of law.
“The NLC remains resolute in its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and will not be cowed by the oppressive tactics of the state. Once again, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero and the cessation of all forms of harassment against labour leaders and the Nigerian working class including innocent citizens who hold dissenting opinions. We equally demand that the state frees all Nigerians languishing in various prisons around the country for exercising their democratic rights to protest in the #EndBadGovernance rallies around the country.
“Finally, the Organs of the Congress are in a closed door meeting whose outcome will be made available to the public.”
…Summons emergency meeting
Also rising from its National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting Monday, the Congress summoned an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting for Tuesday.
In a communiqué signed at the end of the meeting by the NLC deputy president, Comrade Prince Adeyanju Adewale, the body urged the government to release the president without further delay.
“The Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian State without any legal warrant or justification.
“The NLC notes with grave concern that Comrade Ajaero was lawfully discharging his duties to represent Nigerian workers and had not committed any offense warranting such action. His detention is an affront to the rights of workers and the democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.
“The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 12 midnight today. The Council reiterates that Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive or a criminal, and his detention is an act of intimidation aimed at silencing dissent and stifling the labor movement’s voice in Nigeria. NAC also demands the immediate reversal of the current hike in the price of petrol to N617/Litre.
“The Congress places all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on red alert. The detention of Comrade Ajaero is an attack not just on the NLC leadership but on the rights of all workers and citizens to organize, protest, and express themselves freely.
“The NLC will not stand by while these rights are trampled upon. This provocation is another attempt by the State to scuttle the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage. The NLC reaffirms its commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and citizens. The Congress will not relent in its efforts to oppose all forms of oppression.
“NAC – in – session therefore summons an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) by 9:00 AM tomorrow, the 10th day of September, 2024 to take compelling action to engage the current forces of retrogression.
“The NAC urges the Nigerian Government to reverse this dangerous trend of authoritarianism and lawlessness, which threatens the country’s democratic fabric. NAC in session demands the immediate implementation of the New National Minimum Wage which has been signed into Law.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress will not waver in its duty to protect the rights of workers and the freedom of all Nigerians,” the communique stated.
…TUC too
In a similar reaction, the TUC called for an unconditional release of Ajaero.
In a statement by its president, Comrade Festus Osifo, the Congress said: “We received with grave concern the news of the arrest of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) earlier today. This unjust action represents a clear violation of the rights to freedom of association and expression, fundamental pillars in any democratic society.
“Congress, firmly condemns the arrest and calls for his immediate and unconditional release. This arrest sets a dangerous precedence that threatens not only the leadership of the Nigerian labour movement but also the voices of millions of working-class Nigerians who rely on unions to represent and protect their interests.
“It is imperative that the government respects the rule of law, democratic norms, and the legitimate rights of workers and their representatives. The labour movement has always stood for peaceful negotiations.
“We, therefore, urge the Nigerian government to prioritize dialogue and reconciliation over harassment. We stand in solidarity with the NLC and reaffirm our commitment to defending the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers,” Osifo stated.
… Arrest an escalating crackdown on human rights – AI
Sharing similar view, the Amnesty International described the arrest as an escalating crackdown on human rights and restrictions on the country’s civic space.
The Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Joe Ajaero in a press statement said the labour union leader must be immediately and unconditionally released.
“The arbitrary arrest of Joe Ajaero shows an escalating crackdown on human rights and restrictions on civic space by the government of President Bola Tinubu.”
“President Bola Tinubu’s government persistently attacks and undermines the operations of the NLC through fabricated allegations, raids on NLC headquarters, and other forms of harassment and intimidation.
“This growing culture of impunity and disdain for workers’ rights to organise and seek better welfare must stop.
“Amnesty International has observed, in the last year, the increasing crackdown by Nigerian authorities on the labour union and civic space. The authorities continue to weaponize the police and DSS to repress the human rights of Nigerians.
“Nigeria is a party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, including trade union membership and activities.
“The country is also a member of the International Labour Organization, whose fundamental principles, including the right to organize, are binding on all members.
“Under international human rights law, workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities.
The Nigerian authorities have an obligation not only to respect the rights of workers but also to protect these rights from abuse.
“Joe Ajaero was arrested solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights and must be immediately and unconditionally released,” he said.
…DSS swoops on SERAP Abuja office
Also, the DSS operatives swooped on the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, an action the body described as ‘unlawful occupation’.
In a statement released on its X handle Monday, SERAP said the officers demanded to meet with the organisation’s directors.
“President Tinubu must immediately direct the SSS to end the harassment, intimidation and attack on the rights of Nigerians,” SERAP urged.