NLC President, Joe Ajaero Lands In Hospital After He Was Brutalised By Police In Imo

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the police of physically assaulting its President, Joe Ajaero after he was arrested in Imo State on Wednesday.

The NLC President was arrested during a protest led by the national leadership of the movement against alleged maltreatment of workers in Imo State.

NLC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Benson Upah, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, confirmed the subsequent release of Mr. Jeo Ajaero.

Upah, who revealed that Ajaero was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, described his maltreatment as an act of abduction that degenerated into attempted murder.

He said, “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.”

Although the police stated that Mr. Ajaero was taken into custody for his safety, the NLC refuted this claim, asserting that he suffered severe physical abuse post-arrest.

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

“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.”

Additionally, Mr. Ajaero’s personal belongings, including phones and money, were confiscated and have not been returned, according to Upah.

The arrest took place at the NLC secretariat in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, where Joe Ajaero was present for the NLC’s statewide protest and strike, addressing issues such as workers’ rights, unpaid salaries, and pensions, among other concerns.

KanyiDaily recalls that NLC president, Joe Ajaero recently warned that Nigeria was at risk of a “wave of devastating consequences” on its economy should the free fall of the Naira against the dollar remain unchecked.