The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the arrest of the suspected attackers of Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The arrest was made following the alleged abduction and brutalization of Ajaero in Imo State.
According to the announcement made by the Federal Government, the suspects involved in the attack on Joe Ajaero have been apprehended. The government did not provide specific details about the number of suspects arrested or their identities.
The alleged abduction and brutalization of Joe Ajaero sparked a series of reactions from the NLC, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Imo State Police Command. The NLC claimed that Ajaero had been admitted to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri for treatment of his injuries sustained from the attack. They also accused the Imo State Government and the police of being involved in the incident.
However, the Imo State Police Command denied arresting Ajaero and stated that he was taken into protective custody at the State Command Headquarters to save him from a potential mob attack. The police further explained that Ajaero was subsequently given medical treatment for his injuries at the Police Medical Services in Owerri.
The Imo State Government denied any involvement in the arrest of Joe Ajaero. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba, stated that those accusing the government were “perennial mischief makers” and that the planned strike action in the state had been deemed illegal by the National Industrial Court in Owerri. The government questioned Ajaero’s presence in Owerri in defiance of the court order.
The NLC and TUC jointly issued a statement condemning the alleged attack on Ajaero and threatened to mobilize their State Councils and branches for immediate nationwide action if he was not released. They accused the Imo State Government of violence and intimidation against trade unions and their leadership. The unions demanded Ajaero’s immediate release and called for respect for workers’ rights in the state.