The Nigerian Maritime Union (MWUN) has condemned the arrest of the president of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero by the Department of State Security Service (DSS) on Monday.
In a statement mailed to The Nigerian Economy, and signed by Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, Head of Media, MWUN, the union said it would comply with decisions taken by the NLC to ensure that its leader is released immediately.
MWUN stated: “The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria under the leadership of Comrade (Prince) Dr. Adewale Adeyanju, fnli, HFCPSP has kicked against the abduction of the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero by the security apparatus of the Nigerian state at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his invitation to attend workers Congress by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.
“The NLC President was to address a global assembly of workers on behalf of the Nigerian workers at the Trade Union Congress of the United Kingdom (UK).
“It’s on public domain that Comrade Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive anywhere in the world, therefore, his arrest without warrant and detention is condemnable in its entirety. This unholy act of the state agents infringes on the fundamental human rights of the Congress’ President, who has been held incommunicado on Monday morning with no traces of his whereabouts.
“It’s also on record that Comrade Ajaero is a Nigerian citizen and not in any way a “wanted person” by the Nigerian state; therefore, his abduction was just a deliberate act to humiliate, dehumanize him; and a wholesome act of intimidation of the Labour President, which by all measure is absolutely unjustifiable by the laws of the land.
MWUN President-General, Prince Adewale Adeyanju.
“However, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), frowns over this ugly incident on the Congress’ President, whose rights have been extremely violated by the security agents of the state; hence, MWUN is calling for the immediate unconditional release of Ajaero, the NLC President.
“In view of the foregoing, the Union will have no other option if he’s not released but to comply with directives that may come from the Nigeria Labour Congress on this matter.”
