The Department of State Services (DSS) has re-arrested the National Coordinator of the Federal Workers Forum, Andrew Emelieze, barely three days after he was released following public outcry.
Emelieze was reportedly re-arrested on Friday morning by DSS operatives and was quietly arraigned in court.
According to SaharaReporters, sources close to the case described the court move as an attempt to “secure a fake warrant” to legitimise his continued detention.
His initial arrest had sparked backlash, prompting his release earlier this week in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Multiple sources revealed that Emelieze’s latest ordeal is connected to the Forum’s planned nationwide protest.
The protest aims to compel the Federal Government to address lingering issues surrounding minimum wage, unpaid allowances, and other worker welfare matters.
Naijaonpoint had reported on Wednesday that Emelieze was released by the secret police.
However, the Federal Workers Forum has maintained its stance, insisting the protest would go ahead as planned, despite recent overtures from the government.
In an update issued by the Forum after its online general meeting on Saturday, June 29, the group’s National Secretary said that although the government had made promises, including the disbursement of the long-delayed wage award, there were still too many unresolved issues.
“We cannot suspend the protest based on verbal assurances. Federal workers have suffered enough, and we must act,” the Forum stated.
According to the statement, Emelieze had earlier spoken with a Director of Finance, who confirmed that the next tranche of the delayed wage award would be paid following the June salary disbursement, possibly within the coming week. Another skipped instalment was said to follow afterwards.
Despite the re-arrest of their coordinator, the FWF maintained that the July 1 protest is still on course.
“These arrests are attempts to intimidate workers into silence. It will not work,” one member said anonymously.
The Forum has called on labour unions, civil society organisations, and the general public to rise in solidarity with federal workers and demand Emelieze’s immediate release.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS has yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrest.