The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed gratitude to Nigerians and the international community for their support during the recent detention of its President, Joe Ajaero, by the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a statement, NLC Deputy President Prince Adewale Adeyanju thanked civil society organizations, affiliates, and the global community for their solidarity, emphasizing the power of collective action in defending justice and workers’ rights.
Ajaero was released after intense pressure from the NLC and compliance with the National Administrative Council’s demands. The NLC has vowed to conduct comprehensive medical checks to ensure Ajaero’s health was not compromised during his detention.
The organization condemned the arrest and detention as a reckless abuse of power and reaffirmed its commitment to standing against oppression, intimidation, and lawlessness. The NLC views the attack on its leadership as an assault on the fundamental rights of all Nigerian workers and citizens.
The NLC is also demanding the release of citizens detained for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest, an end to the clampdown on popular voices, and the reversal of hikes in petrol and electricity tariffs. Furthermore, the organization is calling for the immediate implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.
