Ajaero: ‘Necessary step’ – Odua Peoples Assembly backs arrest of NLC President

The Odua Peoples Assembly, OPA, has backed the Department of State Services, DSS’ arrest of Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC.

DAILY POST reported that Joe Ajaero was arrested by the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday as he tried to board an aeroplane to the United Kingdom for a labour meeting.

DAILY POST had earlier reported that the police had invited and interrogated Ajaero over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.

His invitation came in the wake of a night raid by the police on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja.

The police are alleging a link between the labour leader and a Briton, Andrew Wynne, who has been accused of financing the recent #EndBadGovernance or #Hunger protest in the country to allegedly overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.

Following Ajaero’s first appearance on August 29, the police, in another letter signed by the Commissioner of Police, Operations, Ibitoye Alajide, on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, Abuja, asked him to appear again on Thursday, September 5, alongside the NLC General Secretary “to answer questions over alleged criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause a breach of public peace, and malicious damage to property.”

After his arrest on Monday, Odua Peoples Assembly said the arrest is lawful and necessary for the stability of the country.

“His arrest is not only justified but crucial to safeguarding the integrity of our nation,” a statement signed by Adeyemi Olamide Shola, its Deputy Speaker, said.

The assembly described the NLC President as an alleged lawbreaker, insisting that his arrest won’t cause anarchy.

It said that the NLC President must have taken some actions that undermine national peace and security.

“Much like other culprits already in detention, Ajaero must face the consequences of his actions,” they said.

“To suggest he should be spared implies that he is untouchable, and this is unacceptable. His arrest by the DSS is necessary, timely, and demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of justice.”

The group then called on the DSS to intensify its investigations and place under surveillance all suspected accomplices to this undemocratic plot.