Nigerian Labor Congress demands release of detained leader

The Nigerian Labor Congress has called for the immediate and unconditional release of its leader -- Joe Ajaero – before 12 midnight Monday. Ajaero was arrested and detained Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en route to the United Kingdom to attend and address the Trade Union Congress of Britain. The Labor Congress and the Nigerian government have been at loggerheads recently over labor’s demand for a higher minimum wage and reduction in the high cost of living. Benson Upah, Head of Information and Public Affairs at the Nigeria Labor Congress, tells VOA’s James Butty, Ajaero’s detention is an attack not just on the labor leadership but also the rights of all Nigerian workers and citizens to organize, protest, and express themselves freely