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The government insisted that no one, including Ajaero, is above the law. The Federal Government(FG) of Nigeria has denied allegations of human rights abuse made by the United Kingdom’s Trade Union Congress (TUC) concerning the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero.
Ajaero was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while he was en route to a UK conference hosted by the British Trade Union Congress.
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In a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information, Bayo Onanuga, the government clarified that Ajaero’s arrest was due to his refusal to comply with an investigation by a law enforcement agency.
Onanuga emphasized that under Nigeria’s Constitution, no individual is exempt from law enforcement summons or lawful investigations. He rejected the UK TUC’s claims of rights violations, stating that the accusations were based on misunderstandings and highlighting that even prominent figures like Donald Trump and Hunter Biden in the US have faced investigations.
The statement also stressed that there is no adversarial relationship between the government and Nigeria’s labor unions. While differences in policy exist, Onanuga noted that the government has always been open to dialogue. He also mentioned that some of the labor movement’s past opposition, such as blocking the sale of refineries in 2007, had hindered Nigeria’s economic growth.
Ajaero confirmed the DSS had returned his seized mobile phones and passport after detaining him for 16 hours. He expressed frustration over the public embarrassment caused by his arrest, noting that security operatives asked him repeated questions about various issues, including his connections with protesters from movements like #EndBadGovernance and his association with the Labour Party.
The NLC had threatened a nationwide strike following Ajaero’s arrest, and several international labor unions expressed concerns over Nigeria’s treatment of union leaders. Pressure from both local and international groups reportedly influenced the government’s decision to release Ajaero before the strike could proceed.
In response to the incident, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming its actions against Ajaero and civil society organizations like SERAP (Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project) were reminiscent of military dictatorships. Atiku called on the government to focus on addressing security threats posed by terrorists and bandits rather than targeting civil society.
Meanwhile, the DSS denied accusations that it raided SERAP’s office, clarifying that only two unarmed officers visited the office as part of a routine investigation. The agency stated that the visit was lawful and not intended to intimidate or harass the organization. However, sources claimed the DSS acted due to SERAP’s investigations into sensitive government matters, which allegedly posed risks to national security.
The NLC plans to conduct a comprehensive medical examination on Ajaero to ensure his well-being following his release, as concerns remain about the treatment he received during his detention. The NLC reaffirmed its commitment to defending workers’ rights and vowed to continue standing against any form of oppression or intimidation.
