Air Peace Airlines has expressed concern over reports linking them to the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero by the State Securty Service.
The airline denied having any active case against Ajaero, stating that their petition filed in September 2023 was resolved amicably and withdrawn.
The petition was filed after the NLC disrupted Air Peace operations in May 2023, causing financial losses and travel disruptions, according to Premium Times.
However, the airline claims that the issue was resolved, and they had no involvement in Ajaero’s arrest.
Air Peace, in a statement issued Monday by its spokesperson, Omotade Makinwa, debunked assertions of having any live case of Mr Ajaero. The airline argued that Mr Ajaero’s arrest does not “reflect the current relationship between Air Peace and the NLC.”
“Air Peace Airline expresses deep concern over recent media reports regarding the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (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,” the statement said.
“It is important to clarify the events leading up to the petition. On 3 May 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.”
Recall that Ajaero was arrested on Monday while trying to travel to the UK and was released 15 hours later.
His detention sparked widespread criticism, including from Amnesty International.
The SSS alleged that Ajaero was involved in a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, along with Andrew Wynne, a British socialist.
Wynne has denied the allegations, stating that participating in protests does not constitute treason.
