Ajaero in Critical Condition, His Right Eye at Risk in Imo Hospital

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, is receiving medical attention at the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTHO) in Owerri as he tries to save his right eye.

Ajaero was brutalised and taken away by the police at the NLC state office in New Owerri, where he was protesting against the Imo State government’s treatment of workers.

A video clip showed Ajaero in a car with two men on his way to FUTHO Owerri yesterday afternoon. He was wearing his union shirt and said he had no phone with him, but hoped to get help from a relative who worked at FUTHO.

The NLC information and publicity officer, Comrade Benson Upah, condemned the attack on Ajaero as an abduction that turned into an attempted murder.

He said, “We spoke to Comrade Joe Ajaero this evening around 15:30 hours at the Police Hospital in Owerri, where he was taken from the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri. He was badly beaten, and his right eye was completely closed.

“Ajaero told us that after his arrest, he was blindfolded and taken to an unknown place where he was further assaulted, sometimes with bottles”.

He also said that Ajaero’s phones, money, and other personal items were seized from him and not returned.

Meanwhile, organised labour has warned that it will take nationwide action if Ajaero is not released. In a statement issued by NLC general secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, and TUC secretary general, Nuhu Toro, they said that Nigerian workers cannot work while the NLC president is held incommunicado.

They said they have been asking the Imo State governor to respect the agreements signed with them and the rights of workers in the state. They said workers deserve their wages and should not be subjected to intimidation and violence.

“We call on Nigerian workers, wherever they may be, in the respective industrial unions, the state councils, and the branches to be on alert for immediate nationwide action if, by the end of today, the President of the Congress is not released.

“With this statement, we want to tell the Nigerian government that we want the president of the NLC released immediately.

“His injuries must be treated as soon as possible, and his freedom to lead Nigerian workers in a peaceful protest is guaranteed. This is what we demand as we proceed to the meetings of the various organs to take decisions on the further steps that will be taken. If this is not heeded now, anything that happens in the country, the governor of Imo State, and the police commissioner must be held responsible,” the statement said.

However, Imo State Police Command said they did not arrest Ajaero, but he was taken to police protective custody at the police headquarters.

In a press release signed by the police spokesperson, ASP Okoye Henry, the command said it wanted to clear up some misleading reports alleging the arrest of Ajaero in Owerri.

The command said, “We want to clarify that the NLC president came to Owerri as part of the congress’s plans to organise a massive protest rally in the state.