The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed reports claiming that its President, Joe Ajaero, was invited by the Department of State Services (DSS) but failed to honor the invitation, leading to his arrest. The NLC described these claims as untrue and mischievous.
The NLC emphasized that it is not in Ajaero’s character to disregard invitations, noting that past incidents demonstrate his respect for authorities.
Ajaero was reportedly arrested and detained by the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en route to London to attend a Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference in the UK.
In response to the public outcry following the DSS’s actions, the Presidency stated that no one is above the law and that Ajaero should have complied with the security agency’s request.
As the narrative suggesting that Ajaero had snubbed a DSS invitation spread, the NLC issued a statement to “set the records straight.”
In a statement issued by its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, the NLC clarified: “Our attention has been drawn to a story circulating on various media platforms, linked to ‘sources within the agency (DSS)’ claiming that prior to his arrest, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, was invited by the DSS but failed to honor the invitation.
“The ‘sources’ further claimed that this was the reason for his arrest at the airport on his way to the UK.
“In the days leading up to his arrest, the Congress President had a discussion with the Director-General of the DSS during a courtesy visit.
“A Director from the agency later contacted the Congress’s General Secretary to arrange a date for another courtesy visit. The General Secretary informed him that he would not be available until Friday, September 13.
“The Director assured that they would provide at least 48 hours’ notice before the visit.
“The DSS Director-General last spoke with Comrade Ajaero on Saturday night, during which Ajaero informed him that he would be traveling the next day, Sunday, and that the courtesy visit could take place after his return on Friday, September 13.
“However, Ajaero missed his flight on Sunday and rescheduled it for Monday, September 9th.
“It was on that Monday morning that DSS operatives detained him in a watchlist operation on behalf of a sister agency.
“We wish to reaffirm that Joe Ajaero is a law-abiding citizen, leading Nigeria’s largest pan-national organization with a rich history of patriotism, and he certainly did not ignore any DSS invitation.
“He is an internationally recognized trade unionist, serving on the executive boards of global trade union federations, with a reputation that extends beyond Nigeria.”
