The Department of State Services (DSS) has granted administrative bail to Comrade Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), following his arrest earlier today.
Ajaero was apprehended on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en route to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.
According to sources, Ajaero was detained shortly before his scheduled flight to London, where he was set to participate in the Trade Union Congress Conference, which begins today.
The arrest sparked significant concern and prompted a swift response from organized labor groups and pro-democracy advocates.
Pro-democracy activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, confirmed Ajaero’s release in a tweet late Monday night.
Sowore’s announcement came just minutes before the expiration of a 12-hour ultimatum issued by organized labor groups demanding Ajaero’s immediate release.
The nature of the charges or reasons for Ajaero’s arrest have not been publicly disclosed by the DSS. However, the detention and subsequent release have intensified scrutiny and debate surrounding the current political climate in Nigeria.
Ajaero’s release is expected to ease tensions within labor circles and enable him to attend the London conference as planned. The NLC has yet to issue an official statement regarding Ajaero’s arrest and subsequent bail.
The unfolding situation has drawn attention from various stakeholders, with many urging for a transparent investigation into the circumstances of Ajaero’s detention and the broader implications for labor rights and political freedoms in Nigeria.