DSS releases Joe Ajaero after several hours in custody

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), from its custody.

Benson Upah, spokesperson of the NLC, told TheCable that Ajaero was arrested on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja as he was about to board a flight to the UK.

“The assault on Nigerian workers continues. President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, was arrested and abducted by men of the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikwe 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,” the NLC said in a statement.

“This intimidation and assault must stop!!!”

However, in a terse statement posted on its X handle on Tuesday, the labour body said its president has been released.

“Breaking news… Comrade Joe Ajaero released from DSS detention. The struggle continues, we can’t be silenced,” the statement reads.