BREAKING: Protest Looms as NLC Places Affiliates on Alert Amid President's Arrest, Details Emerge

• Following the arrest of the national president of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, the union has placed all Nigerian workers and affiliated unions on red alert
• Legit.ng earlier reported that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Ajaero on Monday morning, September 9
• The labour leader was picked up at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while preparing to board a flight to the UK for an official assignment

Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs.

FCT, Abuja - The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of its president, Joe Ajaero.

Legit.ng reported on Monday morning, September 9, how Ajaero was arrested by officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) on charges that are yet to be officially disclosed.

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Ajearo was seized at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while preparing to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) to attend a programme organised by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.

In a post on its known X (formerly Twitter) account, the NLC called on all its affiliate unions, state councils, civil society allies, "and all patriotic Nigerians" to "be on red alert".

The implication of this is that in the event Nigerian authorities fail to release Ajaero without delay, a national strike/protest will be declared. The action could ground socio-economic activities in the country.

Lamenting that Nigerian workers are "under siege", NLC—one of the largest labour centres in Africa—deemed Ajaero's arrest unacceptable.

See the NLC's tweets below:

NLC President's arrest: TUC fumes

Meanwhile, the TUC has condemned Ajaero's arrest.

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Just in: Sources disclose alleged reason DSS arrested NLC President Joe Ajaero

In a statement signed by Festus Osifo, its president, the TUC said the arrest of Ajaero is an unjust action that 'represents a clear violation of the rights to freedom of association and expression, fundamental pillars in any democratic society'.

The statement partly reads:

"This arrest sets a dangerous precedence that threatens not only the leadership of the Nigerian labour movement but also the voices of millions of working-class Nigerians who rely on unions to represent and protect their interests."

Activist tells NLC to declare general strike

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that an activist, Hassan Taiwo Soweto, asked the NLC to declare a two-day strike.

Reacting to Ajaero's arrest, Soweto told the NLC to opt for a "decisive response" against the Bola Tinubu administration.

Source: Legit.ng