Ajaero: Imo Police Command Says NLC President In Protective Custody, Not Arrested; NLC, TUC Warn Govt.

By Ayodele Oni

The Imo State Police Command has clarified that the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Joe Ajaero, was saved by Police from mob attack, and was not arrested by the Command.

A statement in Owerri, signed by the Police Public relations Officer, Imo State Command, confirmed 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 the resistance of the process by some individuals.

“This led 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 statement emphasized the existence of a 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.

The NLC had earlier threatened to embark on nationwide strike if its President is not released.

The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Police Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde,  therefore urged all concerned parties to ensure compliance with the Court directives so as 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.