The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has been hospitalised after being brutally attacked by police officers during a union protest in Imo state.
Ajaero’s right eye is completely shut, and he has suffered other injuries, according to NLC’s head of information and publicity, Comrade Benson Upah.
Upah said Ajaero was beaten, blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination, where he was further brutalised.
His phones, money, and other personal effects were also taken from him, this newspaper has learnt.
Upah said, “Contact has been made with Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero this evening around 15:30 hours at the Police Hospital in Owerri from where he was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owerri where he is receiving medical attention.
This development follows a statement by the Imo State Police Command denying the arrest of the labour leader.
Police Public Relations Officer, Okoye Henry, said contrary to reports, Ajaero was placed in protective custody.
“It is pertinent to state 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,” the police said.
“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 some workers and other individuals resisting the picketing process leading 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.”