President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, is to undergo ophthalmic investigation, a head/brain scan, a full body scan, and cervical spine therapy, among other investigations.
This followed the injuries inflicted on him Wednesday when he was beaten in Owerri, Imo State. Ajaero is currently on a neck collar with bruises all over his skin as a result of the unprovoked attack.
Ajaero, who was in Owerri to mobilise workers for a protest rally in the state, was assaulted, and taken away by armed security personnel.
He was later released. The Police claimed Ajaero was never arrested, but taken into protective custody.
State Police Public Relations Officer, Okoye Henry, in a statement, said:
“The Imo State Police Command wishes to clarify some sketchy reports alleging the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri.
“It is pertinent to state that the NLC President was in Owerri as part of arrangements of the congress to mobilise workers for a mega protest rally in the state.
“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.
“The Commissioner of Police, thereafter, directed that he should be taken to the Police Medical Services, Owerri, where he would be accorded medical attention as a result of the attack.
“He has, therefore, been accorded adequate security cover to proceed on his other legitimate engagements for the day.
“It is, however, necessary to emphasize the existence of a court injunction from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria holden in Owerri with Suit No. NICN/OW/41/2023 dated October 27, 2023, barring the NLC from holding the intended protest rally in Owerri.
“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Police Command, Mr. Mohammed Barde, therefore, urges all concerned parties to ensure compliance with the court directives so as to avoid jeopardizing the current security arrangements on Owerri and other parts of Imo State, even as the State gears up for the forthcoming electioneering process on November 11, 2023.”
