NLC President Joe Ajaero Recounts Ordeal in DSS Custody

Claims Interrogation and Harassment Over Alleged Connections to Protests and Labour Party

Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has detailed his experience while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies. Ajaero’s phones and passport were returned to him on Tuesday following his release from detention, where he claims to have faced intense interrogation.

In his account, Ajaero stated that his detention felt like the DSS had arrested him on behalf of the Police’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT), as IRT operatives questioned him during his time in custody. “The DSS also interrogated me and took my statement. I do not know why they had to embarrass me publicly like that,” Ajaero said.

He explained that IRT officers asked him similar questions to those posed in a previous meeting held on August 29, 2024, where lawyer Femi Falana was also present. The questions focused on the operator of the Iva Valley Bookshop located in the NLC secretariat and on individuals associated with protests, such as #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger. Ajaero confirmed knowing one of the protesters, Eleojo Opaluwa, a staff member of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), as he had employed him at NUEE.

Ajaero was also questioned about the Labour Party (LP), with security agents asking if the NLC ran the party. He clarified, “We do not run the Labour Party, but we are trustees of the party,” adding that the party was founded when Adams Oshiomhole led the NLC.

He also mentioned inquiries about a previous issue with Air Peace, which had been resolved last year, and expressed concern that security agents were searching for ways to implicate him and the NLC. “It is like they are looking for evidence to nail us. That is why they continue to embarrass, persecute, and intimidate us,” he concluded.

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