The Nigeria Labour Congress has condemned the arrest and detention of its President, Joe Ajaero, by the Nigerian government, demanding his immediate and unconditional release.

Ajaero was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while on his way to the United Kingdom to attend a Trade Union Congress meeting.

The NLC’s National Administrative Council in a communique by the congress’ Deputy President, Adeyanju Adewale, on Monday evening described the detention as “brazen and illegal” and an “affront to the rights of workers and democratic principles.”

The council demanded Ajaero’s release by 12 midnight and also called for the reversal of the recent petrol price hike to N617/litre.

The NLC has placed its affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies on the red alert, warning that it will not stand by while workers’ rights are trampled upon.

The council has also summoned an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council to take further action against the government’s “authoritarianism and lawlessness.”

The NLC has reaffirmed its commitment to defending workers’ rights and opposing oppression, urging the government to reverse its “dangerous trend” and implement the new National Minimum Wage.

The commique read, “The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 12 midnight today.

“The council unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian state without any legal warrant or justification.”