Nigerian private airline, Air Peace, says the Department of State Services (DSS) dug up a 2023 petition to arrest the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, on Monday.
Ajaero was released after 11pm on Monday following a threat by Labour to declare a nationwide strike if he did not regain his freedom by 12 midnight.
He was travelling to the UK on invitation from Britain’s Labour organisation, when he was stopped and arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Following a media report that Ajaero had been picked up for his failure to honour an old police invitation over a petition by Air Peace, a statement on Monday by Omotade Makinwa, Air Peace spokesperson, said: “Air Peace Airline expresses deep concern over recent media reports regarding the arrest of the President of the NLC in connection to a petition filed by the airline in September 2023.
“This development, which has led to negative publicity, does not reflect the current relationship between Air Peace and the NLC.
“It is important to clarify the events leading up to the petition. On May 3, 2023, the NLC disrupted Air Peace operations as part of a broader conflict with the Imo State government.
“Although Air Peace had no involvement in the dispute between the NLC and the Imo State government, our airline was unfortunately used as a tool to exert pressure on the government.
“This unlawful disruption of our services caused significant financial losses and impacted the travel plans of many Nigerians across multiple states.
“In response to this disruption, Air Peace’s legal team submitted a formal petition against the NLC to the Nigerian Police. Despite our repeated efforts to follow up on the petition, the Police failed to take prompt action.
“Before this arrest, the airline and the NLC had already reached an amicable resolution, and Air Peace had withdrawn its petition, allowing a positive working relationship to resume between the two organizations.”
