NLC President, Ajaero Whisked Away By Police As Workers’ Strike Kicks Off In Imo

By Ayodele Oni

The planned workers protest in Imo state has taken another dimension with the arrest of the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero by the Operatives of the State Police Command.

It was gathered that Ajaero was whisked away by the Police from the venue of the ongoing protest by workers in the state.

This is just as suspected miscreants inflitrated the protesters, smashing vehicles and inflicting wounds on labour members.

Ajaero had earlier directed all members of the Union and affiliate unions to shut down all sectors in Imo State, including air, land, and sea, as the union commenced protest on Wednesday.

Ajaero announced the commencement of the protest at the end of the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in the late hours of Tuesday, October 31, 2023, in Owerri, the state capital.

The NLC president had accused the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, of violating and neglecting workers’ welfare.

He alleged that due to the hostile actions of the governor towards workers in the state, many of them had died because of the lack of payment of their salaries.

The NLC president lamented the non-compliance with the national minimum wage by the state government while accusing Uzodimma of refusing to implement previous agreements, especially the accord reached on January.

However, a faction of the NLC in the State, in a statement on Tuesday, opted out of the strike action, citing a Court order, and insisted Imo workers have no problems with the Governor.

The Police is yet to issue a statement on the arrest of Ajaero.