Police officers have arrested the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

It was gathered that Ajaero was arrested at the NLC State Council Secretariat and taken to an unknown destination on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

The NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, confirmed the development, saying: “President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero was picked up a few minutes ago from NLC state council secretariat by heavily armed policemen in Owerri and taken to an unknown destination.”

The NLC had vowed to mobilise its members for a protest and strike in Imo State over what it described as lack of respect for workers and unpaid salaries, among others.

Upah, in a statement, disclosed that Ajaero had been released by the police, adding that the NLC boss was brutalised.

He stated: “Contact was made with Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero this evening around 1530 hours at the Police Hospital in Owerri from where he was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owerri where he is receiving medical attention.

“Thoroughly brutalised, his (Ajeoro’s) right eye at the time of contact was completely shut.

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“Ajaero who said little stated that immediately after his arrest, he was beaten up and blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination where more brutalisation took place, sometimes with bottles.”

Ujah added that Ajaero’s phones, money, and other personal effects were taken from him and have not been returned to the NLC President.

Speaking on the development, the police said Ajeoro was taken into custody for his protection.

The police, in a statement issued by the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Okoye Henry, said: “It is pertinent to state that the NLC President was in Owerri as part of arrangements of the Congress to mobilise 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.”

The police spokesperson added that a National Industrial Court injunction dated October 27, 2023, barred the NLC from holding the planned rally.

The Star