From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

Contrary to the claims that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero was arrested by the police in Imo State during a protest, the State command has denied the allegation but asserted that he was only taken to their custody to safeguard his life from a scuffle arising from the protest.

A statement by the State police spokesperson, Henry Okoye further claimed that it was during the attempt to lockdown the airport by the leaders of the union to have a heavy effect that led to a disagreement between the protesters and workers at the airport.

This according to the police spokesperson led to a misunderstanding and the police he said had to wade into the matter to avert loss of life and property.

His statement reads in parts “It is pertinent to state that the NLC President was in Owerri as part of arrangements of the Congress to mobilize workers for a mega protest rally in the state.

” In the course of their planning, it was reported that suggestions arose for the lockdown of some essential facilities particularly the airport which led to some workers and other individuals resisting the picketing process leading to scuffles and heated arguments and an eventual attack on the person of the president by a mob.

“Upon receiving this report, the Imo Police Command swiftly deployed police operatives to the scene where the Officer in Charge exercised his operational discretion by taking the NLC President into protective custody at the State Command Headquarters to ensure the protection of his life and that he was not lynched in the scuffle that followed.

“The Commissioner of Police thereafter directed that he should be taken to the Police Medical Services, Owerri, where he would be accorded medical attention as a result of the attack. He has therefore been accorded adequate security cover to proceed on his other legitimate engagements for the day”. Okoye stated.

He however recalled that there was an existing court injunction from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria holden in Owerri with Suit No. NICN/OW/41/2023 dated 27th October, 2023, barring the NLC from holding the intended protest rally in Owerri.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Police Command, CP Mohammed Barde has therefore urged all concerned parties to ensure compliance with the Court directives so as to avoid jeopardizing the current security arrangements on Owerri and other parts of Imo State, especially as the State gears up for the forthcoming electioneering process on 11th November 2023.

But a conflicting report from the State secratariat of NLC noted that Ajaero and his members were attacked by misreants suspected to be agents of the State government who do not want the protest to hold.

General Secretary of NLC, Emma Ugbaja alleged that the State Commissioner of Police led the attack under the instructions of the state government.
According to him ,the government had mobilised “his thugs” as early as 6 a.m. and took over the area.

“There were about five Naval personnel on duty. The Police arrested and brutalised him and took him to their Tiger base and nobody has sighted him.”

Ugbaja further claimed that the hired thugs tore the clothes of the NLC President, who hails from the State.

He further alleged that the Deputy General Secretary and the Deputy President of the Duck workers were manhandled while their phones and an undisclosed amount of money were collected from them.

Meanwhile the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemn the attack on its leader,Joe Ajaero.

The union in a statement released to newsmen signed by its General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja and Nuhu Toro,Trade Union Congress (TUC),Secretary General explained that the police earlier in the morning before the protest had attempted to disperse the members at the State secratariat.

Also,he alleged thugs were unleashed on the members to prevent the protest from holding.

The statement read in parts “The Government of Imo state has continued to use the instrument of violence
and intimidation against trade unions and their leadership in the state.

“Just as Nigerian workers gathered earlier this morning led by the leadership of the two labour centres to demonstrate our outrage over the serial and habitual abuse and violation of the rights of workers in the state; the Government unleashed blood cuddling mayhem on the workers.

“Earlier in the morning, Police men had tried to disperse workers who were
gathering at the state NLC secretariat without success. This was followed in the usual manner by thugs who were stationed very close to the Secretariat in several Hilux and Toyota trucks.

These thugs were later to unleash mayhem on the few workers who had already gathered smashing car windscreens, delivering matchet cuts on some, stabbing many, and inflicting all manners of injuries on the workers. GSM handsets were snatched, Laptops taken away and Monies were forcefully taken away by the hoodlums.

“As if that damage was not enough, the President of the NLC; comrade Joe Ajaero arrived the venue accompanied by few individual workers to inspect the carnage and to provide the necessary leadership for the trade union action to continue only to be met by Police men of the Imo state Police Command who came in their numbers and in several trucks.

“They eventually bundled the President into their waiting van and whisked him
away to unknown destination where he is still being held incommunicado as we
write.

“This latest action of the State Government and the Police further
demonstrates our earlier cries to Nigerians on the level of violence and impunity going on in Imo State.

” If the President of the Congress can be abducted in broad day light and taken to unknown destination by the Police and the State Governor, imagine, what they have been doing to workers and trade union leaders in the state!

The union has also threatened a nationwide industrial action if Ajaero is not immediately released.

“We call on Nigerian workers, wherever they may be; in the respective industrial
Unions; the state Councils and the Branches to be on alert for an immediate nationwide action if by the end of today, the President of the Congress is not
released.

“We cannot be at work while our President is in the gulag and we cannot
be at peace when the Government of Imo state continues to disrespect workers and treat them with utter disdain.

“With this statement, we want to put the Nigerian Government on notice that we
want the President of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) immediately released. The injuries meted to him must be treated forthwith and his freedom to lead Nigerian workers in a peaceful protest guaranteed.

“This is what we demand as we proceed
to the meetings of the various Organs to take decisions on further steps that will
be taken. If this is not heeded now, anything that happens in the Country, the Governor of Imo State and the Police Commissioner must be held responsible.

“The IGP who is in the State must call his operatives to order to avoid loss of lives, properties and further injuries on innocent workers in Imo State. Workers in Imo State must be free and we must all join hands to ensure this happens.