Former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has disclosed that he was subjected to assault by the Department of State Services (DSS) during his tenure as President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) between 1999 and 2007.
Oshiomhole’s revelation comes in the wake of the recent brutalization of NLC President Joe Ajaero in Imo State, which Oshiomhole strongly criticized. He also questioned the decision of organized labor to initiate a nationwide strike in response to the incident.
In an interview on Channels Television, Oshiomhole shared his personal experience, stating, “I had a similar experience… I was on my way to Delta State, and I went to the airport. The then director of SSS ordered that I should be arrested and stopped from traveling because we had given an ultimatum to the then Federal Government headed by President Olusegun Obasanjo.”
Narrating the incident further, Oshiomhole revealed, “They dragged me on the tarmac, and I had my cuts all over the place. They forcefully prevented me from flying and took me back to the DSS director general’s office — then Col. [Kayode] Are.” Despite an offer to be taken to a government hospital, Oshiomhole expressed distrust and declined, emphasizing his determination to continue the struggle for justice.
The former governor’s firsthand account sheds light on historical tensions between labor leaders and security agencies, underscoring the importance of addressing issues of brutality and ensuring accountability. Oshiomhole’s condemnation of Ajaero’s recent brutalization reflects a broader call for justice in instances of alleged misconduct by security forces.
