The Imo State Police Command has denied arresting the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero in Owerri but stated that it took him to a medical facility after he was attacked.
In a press release on Wednesday by ASP Henry Okoye, the Public Relations Officer, it stated that there were arguments when the NLC tried to lock up some facilities in the State over the proposed strike and mega protest in Owerri metropolis and the Police intervened when it was informed of the case.
The full release reads; “The Imo State Police Command wishes to clarify some sketchy reports alleging the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Owerri. 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 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.
It is however necessary to emphasize the existence of a court injunction from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria held in Owerri with Suit No. NICN/OW/41/2023 dated 27th October 2023, barring the NLC from holding the intended protest rally in Owerri.
The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Police Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, psc (+), therefore urges all concerned parties to ensure compliance with the Court directives to avoid jeopardizing the current security arrangements in Owerri and other parts of Imo State, even as the State gears up for the forthcoming electioneering process on 11th November 2023.”
However, the NLC in a press release accused the State Government of sending thugs who were accompanied by policemen to workers who gathered at the State Secretariat of the NLC and unleashing mayhem on the workers, especially on Comrade Ajaero.
Let by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Honourable Chinasa Nwaneri, the Policemen supervised the thugs who dragged the NLC Chairman on the floor bundled him into a waiting van, and whisked him away.
While putting the Federal government on the actions of the State governments, the NLC called on well-meaning Nigerians, and workers in all organizations to be alert on a nationwide action as they demand his freedom and also a guarantee of his right to lead a peaceful protest.
