Global human rights group, Amnesty International, has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The arrest took place at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday, as Ajaero was heading to the United Kingdom for an official event.
In a statement, Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, expressed concern over what he called a growing trend of impunity under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Sanusi stated that the arrest of Ajaero shows a worsening crackdown on human rights and the shrinking of civic space in Nigeria.
According to the NLC, Ajaero was set to attend a Trade Union Congress conference in London that started on Monday. However, he was detained by DSS before he could depart.
Sanusi declared, “Amnesty International strongly condemns the illegal arrest of Joe Ajaero by the DSS.
He should be released immediately and unconditionally.
His arrest is part of an recent attack on the NLC by President Tinubu’s government, which includes false accusations, raids on NLC headquarters, and continued harassment.
This disregard for workers’ rights and the rule of law must stop.”
Amnesty International further noted that, over the past year, the Nigerian government has increasingly repressed labor unions and restricted civic space. The rights group accused authorities of using the police and DSS to suppress the human rights of Nigerians.
The statement also pointed out that Nigeria is a signatory to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protect the rights to free expression, peaceful assembly, and association, including labor union activities.
As a member of the International Labour Organization, Nigeria is bound by its principles, which include the right to organize.
Sanusi stressed, “Under international law, workers cannot be targeted for participating in union activities. The Nigerian government is obligated not only to respect workers’ rights but also to protect them from abuse.”
Amnesty International concluded by calling for Joe Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release, stating that his arrest was solely for exercising his peaceful human rights.
