The United Action Front of Civil Society has condemned the Department of State Services (DSS) arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Comrade Joe Ajaero at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, calling it a “dehumanising tactic.”
Ajaero, en route to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in the United Kingdom, was detained by DSS operatives in what the group described as a “Gestapo-style” operation.
In a statement signed by its Head of Secretariat, Hamisu Santuraki, the civil society group called the arrest a “needless show of force” aimed at inciting national unrest. They emphasized that Ajaero, a high-ranking figure and labor leader, deserved to be treated with dignity and respect, rather than subjected to humiliating treatment.
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The group demanded Ajaero’s immediate release, warning that his detention could lead to widespread civil unrest. They also announced plans for national consultations aimed at addressing what they see as the rise of a “police state” in Nigeria.
“We want to emphasise that the DSS has disregarded established civil protocols previously used by security agencies in handling cases involving prominent figures like the NLC President.
Instead of inviting such individuals for questioning, they have resorted to forceful abductions designed to intimidate and embarrass them.
“As a prominent leader of the labor movement and a voice for the masses of Nigeria, Comrade Joe Ajaero should be treated with the utmost respect.
Any security concerns involving him should be addressed through proper channels, not through the heavy-handed tactics we witnessed today, which only serve to heighten tensions and risk nationwide instability.
“For the organized civil society and pro-democracy movements in Nigeria, the abduction of Ajaero is an outrageous display of aggression by security forces and must be condemned by all Nigerians.
This reckless action by the DSS threatens to spark widespread resistance and civil disobedience if Ajaero is not immediately freed,” the statement read.
The arrest of Ajaero has sparked national outrage, with many criticizing the DSS for attempting to stifle dissenting voices.
