The Department of State Services (DSS) has clarified the circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Sources within the agency have confirmed that Ajaero was taken into custody on Monday morning for failing to respond to a DSS invitation. This invitation, extended last week, was connected to a petition filed by senior NLC leaders against him. The petition raised concerns about issues that could potentially undermine national stability.
A DSS insider explained that the agency’s newly appointed Director-General, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, who took office less than two weeks ago, inherited the petition and insisted on investigating it further. The source elaborated, “Our new DG, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, has been in office for less than two weeks and inherited this petition. He was determined to address it, which is why we invited the NLC president to clarify the allegations.”
The DSS had extended the invitation to Ajaero last week via a senior director, who was tasked with handling the investigation. Ajaero had promised to attend the meeting on Monday. However, it was reported that he was later seen at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, attempting to board an international flight.
The DSS source emphasized, “No responsible security organization can ignore such defiance. The DSS is mandated by law to protect Nigeria from domestic threats, uphold criminal laws, and support law enforcement at federal and state levels. We have consistently performed these duties impartially.”
Drawing a parallel to international practices, the source noted, “Just as the CIA operates impartially, as seen in recent events involving former President Donald Trump, we too must operate within the bounds of the law. It is crucial to respect invitations from security agencies. We anticipate that Ajaero will be released once he addresses the allegations brought against him by some of his NLC colleagues.”
Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Counsel to the Nigeria Labour Congress, Femi Falana, has stated that the Department of State Services (DSS) has not officially communicated the reasons for Comrade Joe Ajaero’s arrest. Falana contends that the arrest is unrelated to the previously rescheduled police invitation.
In an interview with our correspondent in Abuja, Falana explained, “The police had rescheduled their invitation to Comrade Joe Ajaero last week. I have contacted the police authorities, and it is clear that the arrest is not connected to the police invitation.”
Falana further noted, “Comrade Ajaero was en route to London to attend the ongoing TUC Conference when he was detained at the airport this morning by the DSS. As of now, no official reason has been provided by the DSS for his arrest.”
