NLC President Joe Ajaero Hospitalized After Allegedly Brutalized By Police
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has accused Imo State police authorities of brutally assaulting their President, Joe Ajaero, which has resulted in his being hospitalized.
Ajaero was reportedly arrested at the NLC State Council Secretariat in Owerri, Imo State capital, by heavily armed police officers and transported to an undisclosed location.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Head of Media at the NLC Headquarters, Benson Uper, confirmed Ajaero’s release by the police, but further intimated that he is currently in the hospital, alleging severe physical abuse by operatives of the Imo State Police Command.
The statement read: “Immediately after his arrest, he was beaten up and blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination where more brutalization took place, sometimes with bottles”.
Contact with Ajaero was reestablished at the Police Hospital in Owerri around 15:30 hours, after which he was transferred to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, for medical treatment. At the time of contact, his right eye was completely shut, and his personal belongings, including phones and money, were confiscated and have not been returned.
‘Police Deny Ajaero’s Arrest’
Shortly after news of Ajaero’s arrest circulated, the Imo State Police Command refuted allegations of detaining the NLC President.
Police Public Relations Officer, Okoye Henry, maintained that, contrary to reports, Ajaero was placed in protective custody.
The police explained, “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, resulting in scuffles and heated arguments and an eventual attack on the person of the president by a mob.”
The police further clarified that upon receiving this report, the Imo Police Command took the NLC President into protective custody at the State Command Headquarters to ensure his safety and prevent any harm during the altercation.
Additionally, the police spokesman mentioned a court order from the National Industrial Court in Owerri that prohibited the NLC from conducting the planned protest rally in the state.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmed Barde, appealed to all involved parties to comply with the court directives to avoid disrupting the current security arrangements in Owerri and other parts of Imo in anticipation of the forthcoming November 11 governorship election in the state.
Following Ajaero’s arrest, Organised Labour called on workers to be on alert for immediate nationwide action demanding the release of the NLC leader before the end of Wednesday.
In a joint statement by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, and the Imo State Commissioner of Police were accused of abducting the NLC leader.
Organized Labour stressed that workers could not continue working while the NLC President remained in custody, and they called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevent the state from descending into chaos.
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