The Nigerian secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), released prominent labor union leader Joe Ajaero on Tuesday following hours of interrogation over alleged involvement in terrorism financing. Ajaero, who was arrested Monday at Abuja airport while en route to the UK for a labor conference, has been a vocal critic of the government. His detention sparked widespread criticism, with many viewing it as part of a broader government effort to suppress dissent.
Ajaero disclosed that while he has been released, DSS confiscated his passport. He was questioned regarding alleged ties to British national Andrew Wynne and the recent anti-government protests in Nigeria. These protests were aimed at denouncing reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, which included the controversial removal of fuel subsidies.
Hamisu Santuraki, spokesperson for the United Action Front of Civil Society, criticized the manner of Ajaero’s arrest, arguing that the authorities should have invited him for questioning instead of detaining him without prior notice. “Arresting someone without an invitation is wrong,” Santuraki said, demanding the return of Ajaero’s passport and promising further deliberation within civil society groups.
In response to the backlash, government spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stated that Ajaero was “invited” to meet with law enforcement, but had “snubbed” the request, necessitating the intervention. Onanuga firmly denied accusations of human rights abuses, asserting Nigeria’s commitment to upholding democratic principles.
Ajaero’s arrest follows his recent criticisms of the government’s 39% increase in gasoline prices, a move justified by officials as driven by global oil market conditions. Since the removal of fuel subsidies last year, petrol prices in Nigeria have soared.
Civil rights groups have increasingly raised concerns over what they see as a pattern of government actions aimed at stifling free speech and civic engagement. The arrest of investigative journalist Isaac Bristol on charges of leaking restricted documents, and the recent declaration of journalist David Hundeyin as wanted, further fuel suspicions of a crackdown on dissent.
Additionally, the Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Project (SERAP) reported a raid on their offices by state operatives on Monday, linking it to their public call for a probe into the national oil company and their criticism of rising fuel prices. Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director of SERAP, labeled these actions as a clear attack on Nigeria’s civic space, warning that such behavior undermines democracy.
This incident marks Ajaero’s second arrest in less than a year, following his detainment in November 2023 in Imo state before leading a planned rally. The ongoing pressure on union leaders and civil rights groups has intensified the national discourse on free expression and government accountability.
