The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Ajaero: NLC, TUC, issue six-point demands to FG, threatens nationwide strikeTrade Union Congress (TUC), is to embark on a nationwide strike over the arrest and brutalisation of the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero. The strike, according to a statement on Friday, is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.
The statement jointly signed by Adeyanju Adewale, NLC deputy president and Tommy Okon, TUC deputy president made six- point demand from the federal government, including the immediate removal of the Imo state Commissioner of Police and the Area Commander, among other officials, for their alleged complicity in the brutalisation and humiliation of Ajaero and other workers.
The statement said, “The NLC President was blindfolded and whisked away by security operatives in the state before intervention from the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
“He was also beaten along with other workers with his phone seized, and journalists also maltreated with evidence shrouded away from the public.”
The union further expressed workers’ worry over the negligence of the federal government on the issue and the non-intervention of security personnel despite being briefed about their leaders’ presence in the state.
Continuing, the unions resolved that “The Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Barde, should not only be investigated and redeployed but should also be held accountable for his action on Ajaero.
“The Area Commander and the other officers who supervised the brutalisation of our President and other workers in Owerri should be relieved of their offices and stripped of their commission.
“We demand an unbiased and thorough examination of the President on the physical and psychological injuries inflicted on him and all the properties lost be restored immediately.”
The statement stressed that if the government fails to meet their demands, the NLC, TUC, and their affiliates will no longer guarantee peace in the country, as there will be nationwide protests.
Ajaero who was in Owerri on Wednesday to lead workers protest against the non payment of backlog of salaries of workers by the Imo state government, was arrested by armed police men and taken to the headquarters of the Imo state police command, where he was allegedly brulatised.
The Imo state police command however claimed that Ajaero was taken into “protective custody”, against being lynch by a mob that was opposed to the NLC protest in Owerri .
