The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, was taken into police custody in Owerri, the capital of Imo State. His arrest occurred during an ongoing protest conducted by NLC members in the state.
The protest was reportedly disrupted by unruly individuals who damaged vehicles and caused injuries to NLC members. The NLC had previously announced its intention to protest against the alleged violation and abuse of workers’ rights and privileges by the state government.
Ajaero’s arrest occurred at around 8 a.m. on Wednesday. According to sources, NLC members gathered at the state Secretariat of the NLC for the protest when a group of armed individuals stormed the Secretariat, attacked the workers, and dispersed them. However, the workers regrouped at the Secretariat, this time led by the NLC President and General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, to commence the protest.
As Ajaero was about to address the gathered workers, a team of armed police officers arrived and took him into custody along with some NLC officials. Gunshots were reportedly fired to disperse the workers.
Benson Upah, the NLC’s Head of Information and Publicity, confirmed the incident, stating that Ajaero was arrested by armed individuals believed to be policemen at the Imo State NLC Secretariat as they were preparing to begin their lawful protest against the violation of workers’ trade union rights. Chris Onyeka, the NLC Deputy General Secretary and Chief of Staff to the NLC President, reported that he was with Ajaero when he was assaulted and arrested. Thugs initially attacked Ajaero and dragged him from the platform, followed by the police arresting him and another senior NLC official.