Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has publicly recounted his troubling experience while detained by the Department of State Services (DSS). His detention, which involved the seizure of his phones and international passport, has raised significant concerns about the relationship between labor leaders and state security in Nigeria.
During his detention, Ajaero was interrogated by both the DSS and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigerian Police Force. He reported that the IRT operatives questioned him about various issues, including the Iva Valley Bookshop located in the NLC secretariat building and his connections to protests and activists associated with movements like #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger. They also inquired about his knowledge of Eleojo Opaluwa, a staff member of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), and sought details on the Labour Party’s operations and its connection with the NLC. Additionally, they revisited a previously resolved dispute involving Air Peace.
Ajaero expressed frustration with the manner in which he was treated, suggesting that the actions of the security agencies were intended to embarrass and intimidate him. He criticized the ongoing scrutiny as an attempt to undermine the NLC and its activities.
This incident has intensified discussions about the balance between national security and individual rights, particularly for those involved in political and labor advocacy in Nigeria.
