The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) held an emergency National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, with some executives joining virtually, and resolved to shut down the nation if the police detain or arrest its national president, Joe Ajaero.
The meeting, which started at 8:30 a.m., agreed that Ajaero should honour the police invitation. Ajaero was invited by the police for an “interview” on charges connected to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime”, as reported by PorscheClassy News on Monday.
The NLC has threatened to take drastic action if the police take any action against Ajaero, emphasizing their support for their leader.
The letter of invitation, dated August 19, 2024, and signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police Intelligence, said Ajaero’s name was mentioned in ongoing investigations connected to “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime”.
Accordingly, the letter directed Ajaero to report at the IRT Complex, Abbattoir by Guzape Junction on Tuesday, August 20 at 10 am, threatening that a warrant of arrest would be issued against him if he failed to report.
It was gathered that security agents, on July 7, conducted a night raid on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja.
According to the NLC spokesperson, Upah, the operatives burst into the building at about 8.30 pm and arrested the security guards, forcing them to hand over keys to the offices on the second floor.
Upah said, “The security operatives, some from the Nigeria Police Force, some wearing black tee-shirts, presumably from the Department of State Services, and others on outright mufti, swooped on the 10th Floor of the NLC and arrested the security operative on duty and then commandeered him to the second floor where he was asked to produce the keys to the offices.”
The police took responsibility for the operation, saying it was aimed at uncovering incriminating documents that could help build a case against an international “subversive” figure considered a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Last week, the NLC rejected the explanation offered by the police on the raid and demanded the release of its arrested members and seized documents.
The NLC also criticised government attempts to interfere with the organisation’s internal affairs, including a proposed reduction in the tenure of trade union leaders.
