National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The Department of State Services (DSS) has released the passport of Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), after it was seized during his arrest on Monday.
Ajaero was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja while trying to board a flight to the United Kingdom, where he was invited by the Britain’s Trade Union Congress (TUC).
“We are relieved that the DSS has released our president’s passport,” said Benson Upah, NLC spokesperson.
“However, we still demand to know why he was arrested and detained in the first place.”
The NLC had earlier alerted its affiliates and Nigerian workers to remain “vigilant and on high alert” after Ajaero’s arrest, and demanded his “unconditional” release.
Femi Falana, Ajaero’s lawyer, confirmed that the passport was released on Tuesday, adding that the arrest was “unconnected” to an earlier police invitation.
The incident has raised concerns about the government’s handling of labour leaders and the right to freedom of movement.
