Air Peace denies involvement in Ajaero’s arrest, says police took action Petition withdrawn already withdrawn

Air Peace, a private Nigerian airline, has distanced itself from the arrest of Joe Ajaero, chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

The Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Ajaero on Monday, September 9, 2024, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while he was on his way to the United Kingdom to attend a Trade Union Congress meeting.

Following the arrest, Omotade Makinwa, a spokesman for the airline, issued a statement debunking media reports that the union leader was arrested in connection with the airline’s petition.

According to Makinwa, these reports have had a negative impact on public opinion of the airline.

He explained that although the airline filed a petition in May 2023, when the NLC disrupted the airline’s operations over the union’s conflict with the Imo State government, the police did not take any action on the petition.

“Air Peace Airlines expresses deep concern over recent media reports regarding the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in connection with 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.

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“It is important to clarify the events leading up to this petition. On May 3, 2023, the NLC disrupted Air Peace’s operations as part of a wider conflict with the Imo State Government. Although Air Peace was not involved in the dispute between the NLC and the Imo State Government, our airline was unfortunately used as a tool to pressure the government. This unlawful disruption of our services has caused significant financial losses and has affected the travel plans of many Nigerians in multiple states.

“In response to this disruption, Air Peace’s legal team filed a formal petition against the NLC with the Nigerian Police. Despite our repeated attempts to review the petition, the police failed to take prompt action.”

More than a year later, Makinwa said the Nigerian police “decided to act on the original petition,” leading to the alleged arrest of the NLC president.

Meanwhile, Air Peace and NLC “reached an amicable solution”, prompting the airline to withdraw the petition.