DSS Grants Bail To NLC President, Ajaero Amid Rising Tension Over Arrest

DSS Grants Bail to NLC President Joe Ajaero

The Department of State Services (DSS) has granted administrative bail to Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), following his arrest on Monday.

Ajaero was apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, en route to London for the Trade Union Congress conference.

Omoyele Sowore, pro-democracy activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress broke the news of Ajaero’s release in a tweet late Monday night. “BREAKING: The fascist regime has released the NLC President Joe Ajaero from DSS custody on bail,” Sowore posted on X.com.

NLC Responds to DSS Arrest

The NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) held an emergency meeting immediately following Ajaero’s arrest. In a statement, NAC Deputy President Adeyanju Adewale described the arrest as “brazen and illegal,” condemning the DSS action as an affront to workers’ rights.

“The detention of Comrade Ajaero is an attack on the rights of all workers,” Adewale said. “We demand his immediate and unconditional release before midnight.”

The labour congress also warned of potential nationwide strikes if the government continued its “intimidation tactics,” stating it would not tolerate actions that stifle free expression and labor rights.

Opposition Parties Criticise Government

Political opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), also condemned the arrest. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, called the incident a sign of Nigeria’s slide into dictatorship.

“There is a need for caution. Arresting individuals who voice dissent does not solve the country’s problems,” Ologunagba remarked. “The government should focus on addressing hunger and poverty rather than targeting individuals.”

DSS Raid on SERAP Office

The DSS also raided the office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in Abuja on Monday. According to reports, DSS officials sought to speak with the directors of the rights organisation.

The NLC reacted strongly to this action, considering it part of a broader effort to intimidate civil society organisations that challenge government policies.

NLC Pushes Back Against Intimidation

In the statement issued after the emergency meeting, the NLC emphasised that Ajaero was lawfully discharging his duties and had not committed any offense.

“The NLC demands the reversal of the petrol price hike and warns that the government’s actions will provoke a strong response,” the communiqué read.

READ ALSO: Ajaero’s Arrest By DSS ‘A Brazen Act Of Lawlessness, Intimidation’ – NLC

Benson Upah, Head of Public Relations for the NLC, confirmed that Ajaero was arrested without any legal warrant. “This act of intimidation against labour leaders cannot stand,” Upah said.

Labour Unions on High Alert

Labour unions across Nigeria were placed on red alert following Ajaero’s detention. The NLC issued instructions for all affiliates and state councils to prepare for possible industrial action. The union’s position is clear: workers’ rights must be defended at all costs.

Ajaero’s detention, along with the raid on SERAP’s office, has intensified tensions between labor groups and the government. Labor leaders argue that the government’s actions signal a broader attempt to suppress dissent.

PDP Urges Government to Prioritise Welfare

In response to the arrest, PDP representatives called for the government to prioritise citizens’ welfare over policies that further exacerbate poverty. “If the government tackles hunger, the protests will stop,” Ologunagba said. “The administration must stop pushing policies that burden ordinary Nigerians.”

NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, described Ajaero’s arrest as shocking and urged the government to provide an explanation to ease growing tensions. “We need to know why Ajaero was arrested, or else people will believe this is authoritarianism,” Johnson said.

SDP: Government Should Be Cautious

Shehu Gabam, National Chairman of the SDP, warned the government to be careful in its dealings with labor leaders. “This Gestapo-like operation will not benefit the country,” Gabam cautioned. “The government must respect the constitutional rights of citizens to express dissent.”

APC Calls for Patience

Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) urged Nigerians to remain patient as investigations into Ajaero’s arrest unfold. APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, emphasised the importance of following legal procedures.

“If the arrest is related to national security or a treason charge, we must allow the law to take its course,” Ibrahim said. “It’s too early to draw conclusions or accuse the government of authoritarianism.”

Calls for National Strike Loom

The situation remains tense as the NLC, backed by other labour unions, prepare for possible nationwide strikes. The labour congress continues to demand the immediate reversal of the fuel price hike, an issue that has added to the unrest.

As labour groups maintain their stance, the Nigerian government faces mounting pressure to address grievances over economic hardship and human rights abuses. The outcome of these tensions may set the tone for labor-government relations in the coming months.

In the face of rising political tensions, the DSS’s arrest of NLC President Joe Ajaero and the raid on SERAP’s office have sparked widespread condemnation from labour unions and opposition parties. Labour groups warn that further actions may result in a nationwide strike if the government fails to heed their demands.