By Aaior K. Comfort

Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was apprehended by the Department of State Services (DSS) as he was preparing to board a flight to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.

Details surrounding the arrest are currently limited, but sources indicate that Ajaero has been handed over to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

Ajaero was scheduled to attend a Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference in the UK today.

The arrest comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Ajaero by security agencies. On August 20, the NLC President responded to an invitation from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Police Force. This followed a summons from the Police on August 19, which required his appearance the following day and included a threat of arrest for non-compliance.

However, Ajaero, represented by human rights activist Femi Falana (SAN), wrote to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) explaining his inability to meet the summons on the specified date.