Nigeria rearrests labour leader over strike

Police rearrested Nigerian labour chief Mr Adams Oshiomhole today, a day after he was freed on bail after being charged with …

Police rearrested Nigerian labour chief Mr Adams Oshiomhole today, a day after he was freed on bail after being charged with organising an illegal strike, union officials said.

He was arrested a short while ago in Abuja while trying to travel to Lagos, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Secretary-General Mr John Odah said. He said 20 other NLC leaders were also seized in the northern city of Kaduna.

There was no immediate confirmation from police.

The NLC, which launched a paralysing general strike yesterday over petrol price increases, called an urgent strategy meeting of its leadership today as the action showed signs of weakening. Mr Oshiomhole and 10 associates were charged in court in Abuja yesterday with organising an illegal strike, but were freed on bail.

READ MORE

"Arresting NLC leaders will not resolve the strike because that does not address the issues involved," Mr Odah said. "It will make things that much more difficult."