The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to shut down the nation if its president, Joe Ajaero, is detained or arrested by the police. This decision was made during an emergency National Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja, with some executives participating virtually.

The meeting, which started at 8:30 a.m., concluded with a resolution that Ajaero should comply with the police invitation. The police had summoned Ajaero for an "interview" concerning allegations of "criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime."

The invitation dated August 19, 2024, and signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police Intelligence, stated that Ajaero's name had come up in ongoing investigations related to these charges. Ajaero was directed to report to the IRT Complex at Abattoir by Guzape Junction on Tuesday, August 20, at 10 a.m. The letter also warned that a warrant for his arrest would be issued if he failed to appear.

This development follows a July 7 raid by security agents on the NLC national secretariat in Abuja. According to NLC spokesperson Benson Upah, operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, along with individuals in black t-shirts and plainclothes, raided the building at around 8:30 p.m., arresting security guards and seizing keys to offices on the second floor.

The police later claimed responsibility for the raid, stating it was part of an operation to uncover incriminating documents related to an international "subversive" figure deemed a threat to Nigeria's democracy.

The NLC has since rejected the police's explanation for the raid, demanding the release of its arrested members and the return of seized documents. The union also criticized government efforts to interfere with its internal affairs, including a proposed reduction in the tenure of trade union leaders.

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