Andrew Emelieze, the National Coordinator of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF), has been re-arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) just days after his initial release, sources have confirmed.
Emelieze was reportedly picked up again early Friday morning and quietly taken to court, where the DSS allegedly sought a questionable warrant to justify his renewed detention.
His re-arrest comes amid heightened tensions over a planned nationwide protest originally scheduled for July 1. The protest, organized by the FWF, was intended to press for the immediate payment of minimum wage arrears, outstanding allowances, and broader improvements to federal workers’ welfare.
Emelieze had been released earlier in the week following public outcry and growing pressure over his initial detention in Ibadan, Oyo State. However, his re-arrest signals continued efforts by authorities to suppress the workers’ movement.
According to FWF statements from a virtual meeting held on June 29, there had been limited progress on delayed wage awards. The group disclosed that contact had been made with the Director of Finance, who confirmed that the next payment tranche originally due in May would be processed after June salaries were paid.
Despite these assurances, the Forum stressed that key issues remained unresolved. The group maintained that its call for mass action was still valid, citing the government’s failure to address core demands affecting the welfare of federal workers.
Emelieze’s re-arrest is likely to inflame tensions further, especially among civil servants who see the crackdown as an attempt to silence legitimate demands for economic justice and accountability.
