ABUJA — The Federal Government has rejected allegations of human rights violations leveled by the UK Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the arrest of Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The government emphasized that no one, including Ajaero, is above the law.
Ajaero was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while en route to London for a TUC conference.
In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the government clarified that Ajaero’s arrest stemmed from his refusal to respond to a law enforcement agency’s invitation. Onanuga insisted that under Nigeria’s Constitution, everyone is subject to lawful investigation.
On the same day, Ajaero spoke about his experience in DSS custody and confirmed the return of his seized passport and phones.
The DSS defended its presence at the office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), saying its agents were conducting an investigation, not an invasion. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized Ajaero’s arrest and the SERAP office siege, comparing the government’s actions to military dictatorship.
The UK TUC had accused Nigeria of suppressing union leaders, but Onanuga dismissed the claim, stating that other countries also investigate leaders, citing cases like former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ajaero’s arrest prompted threats of a nationwide strike by labor unions, with a strike being narrowly avoided after his release. The NLC remains committed to protecting workers’ rights and condemns any suppression of dissenting voices.
Atiku urged the Tinubu administration to focus on addressing terrorism rather than targeting civil society groups like SERAP.
Meanwhile, the DSS assured the public of its professionalism, dismissing the accusations of a raid on SERAP’s office as misinformation.
