The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the reason behind the arrest and detention of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
Ajaero was apprehended on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja while heading to the United Kingdom for a Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference.
Sources from within the security agency revealed that Ajaero was picked up for not responding to a previous invitation from the DSS.
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This invitation, sent out last week, was linked to a petition lodged by high-ranking NLC members against Ajaero.
The petition raised concerns that were deemed to potentially destabilize the nation.
The new Director-General of the DSS, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, who assumed office less than two weeks ago, inherited this petition and decided to pursue an investigation.
The agency had contacted Ajaero by phone last week, and a senior director was tasked with managing the inquiry.
Despite Ajaero’s assurance to attend, he was reportedly seen at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, attempting to board an international flight.
The DSS, mandated to protect national security and enforce criminal laws, viewed Ajaero’s actions as a serious disregard for the invitation.
The source explained, “You know that our new DG (Director-General), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi resumed duty less than two weeks ago. This was one of the petitions he inherited. He insisted that we invite the NLC president to clear the air on some of the allegations.
“Last week, we invited him (Ajaero) through the normal channel, which is on the telephone. A very senior director extended the invitation and was mandated to handle the investigation.
“Ajaero promised to come today, Monday. The next thing we heard was that Ajaero was sighted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, trying to board an international flight.
“No responsible security organization will fold its hands in the face of such contempt. The law setting up the DSS empowers us to defend Nigeria against domestic threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of Nigeria, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal and state law-enforcement organs.
“This, we have done over the decades without fear or favour. We often praise the CIA in the United States for operating without fear or favour. See the way former President Donald Trump is being dragged around, even though he has the chance of returning as president.
“We must learn to live within the ambit of the law, including honouring invitations by security agencies. I’m sure he’ll be released after he clears the air on the allegations against him by some of his colleague-officers in the NLC,” the officer added.
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