Nigerian Secret Police Release Labor Union Leader Joe Ajaero After Interrogation

Ajaero’s Arrest Sparked Criticism Over Alleged Government Crackdown on Dissent

The Nigerian secret police released labor union leader Joe Ajaero on Tuesday after hours of interrogation over alleged terrorism financing.

Ajaero’s arrest Monday sparked criticism about what critics see as a government crackdown on dissent.

Details of the Arrest and Interrogation

Ajaero, was released by the Department of State Services, or DSS, after he was arrested at the Abuja airport while on his way to the United Kingdom to attend a labor conference.

He said Tuesday that DSS kept his passport.

He said the police questioned him for hours about alleged terrorism financing involving British national Andrew Wynne and last month’s anti-government protests in Nigeria.

Background on Ajaero and the Labor Union

Ajaero is a prominent critic of the Nigerian government and has led many demonstrations to denounce reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu last year.

Government’s Response and Criticism

Hamisu Santuraki, the spokesperson of the United Action Front of Civil Society, a coalition of civil society groups, said the government should have asked Ajaero to come in for questioning.

“It’s not done anywhere — arresting somebody without sending him an invitation, it is wrong, they should’ve sent him a letter,” Santuraki said. We just want them to release his passport, so we’re having a meeting. Nigeria is our country.”

Later Tuesday, a government spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said Ajaero was invited to speak to a law enforcement agency and was stopped from traveling abroad because he “snubbed” that invitation.

In a statement released on X, Onanuga also said Nigeria “categorically denies any human rights abuse.”

Broader Concerns About Government Crackdown on Dissent

The Nigerian government is facing a wave of criticism from rights groups who accuse it of trying to stifle dissent and free expression. Investigative journalist Isaac Bristol was recently detained on charges of leaking classified and restricted documents, sedition, and tax evasion, among other allegations.

Another journalist, David Hundeyin, was declared wanted by the police last week.

Other Recent Incidents of Crackdown on Dissent

Ajaero’s arrest came days after he criticized a decision by Nigerian officials to increase the gasoline price by 39 percent.

Nigerian authorities said global oil market forces determined the new pump price of refined petrol, which had more than quadrupled in Nigeria since President Tinubu scrapped fuel subsidies last year.

On Monday, the Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Project, or SERAP, said state operatives also raided their offices. The group this week called for a probe of the national oil company.

“We consider this an act of aggression, intimidation and harassment by the government, and it might not be unconnected with the statement that SERAP had issued over the weekend calling on the president to direct the NNPC to reverse the price of petroleum,” said Kolawole Oluwadare, a deputy director at SERAP. “We consider this as an instance of the escalation of attacks against the civic space and this of course is not acceptable in a democracy.”

Ajaero’s Previous Arrest and Experience

Ajaero was also arrested in November by police in southeastern Imo state, moments before he was to lead a rally.

Conclusion

The release of Joe Ajaero from detention is a positive development, but the concerns about the Nigerian government’s crackdown on dissent and free expression remain. The recent incidents of arrests and harassment of journalists and civil society leaders are a cause for concern and highlight the need for the government to respect the rights of its citizens.

FAQs

Q: What was Joe Ajaero arrested for?
A: Ajaero was arrested for alleged terrorism financing.

Q: What was the government’s response to Ajaero’s arrest?
A: The government claimed that Ajaero was invited to speak to a law enforcement agency and was stopped from traveling abroad because he “snubbed” that invitation.

Q: What is the broader concern about the Nigerian government’s actions?
A: The concern is that the government is cracking down on dissent and free expression, and that it is trying to stifle the voices of critics and opponents.