“They Asked If I Know the #EndBadGovernance Protesters” — NLC President Ajaero Recounts DSS Interrogation

Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has provided details of his recent detention and questioning by the Department of State Services (DSS). Ajaero was arrested on Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where he was held for over 16 hours. His phones and international passport were seized by the DSS but later returned on Tuesday.

Speaking about the incident, Ajaero expressed surprise at his public arrest and detention. “It felt like I was being arrested by the DSS on behalf of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigerian Police,” he said, revealing that IRT operatives interrogated him while he was in custody. He added that the same questions posed during a previous meeting with the IRT in August 2024 were repeated.

During the interrogation, Ajaero said he was questioned about several issues, including his communication with the operator of the Iva Valley Bookshop located in the NLC Secretariat, and his connection to protesters involved in the #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger movements. The DSS also inquired about his relationship with Eleojo Opaluwa, a staff member of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), to which Ajaero confirmed knowing Opaluwa, as he had employed him at NUEE.

The security operatives further asked about the Labour Party, questioning whether the NLC was managing the party. Ajaero clarified that while the NLC is a trustee of the Labour Party, they do not run its operations. He also shared that the Labour Party was founded during the tenure of Adams Oshiomhole as NLC President.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Ajaero suggested that the security agencies are seeking grounds to discredit or target the NLC, saying, “It seems like they are searching for evidence to incriminate us. That is why they continue to embarrass, persecute, and intimidate us.”

The arrest has sparked concerns and outrage among various groups, with many calling for an end to what they see as harassment of the NLC leadership.