BREAKING: Governor Uzodinma Orders Arrest Of NLC President Joe Ajaero, Whisked Away By Heavily Armed Policemen In Imo

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has been reportedly arrested in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

According to a Channels TV news flash; “Ajaero was picked up from the NLC State Council Secretariat by heavily armed policemen in Owerri and taken to an unknown destination”.

Head of Media at the NLC Headquarters, Benson Uper, who was quoted to have confirmed the development, stated this via a WhatsApp message.

The NLC is leading a statewide protest and strike in Owerri over what it described as lack of respect for workers, unpaid salaries, amongst others.

Dependable sources disclosed that Ajaero was arrested on the order of Governor Hope Uzodinma. Multiple reports say his whereabouts are unknown as at press time, as he was taken away by heavily armed security personnel.

BIGPEN NIGERIA reports that NLC had earlier announced that it would begin protests in Imo State on November 1, over alleged violations and abuse of workers’ rights and privileges by the State government.

Ajaero said that the NLC was “deeply concerned about the persistent and egregious violations of the rights and privileges of workers in Imo State by the State Government.”

“Despite repeated efforts by the NLC to engage in constructive dialogue and reach amicable agreements, the Imo State Government has become a habitual and serial breaker of these agreements, continuing to trample on the rights of workers in the state”.

As a result, the NLC said it had no choice but to embark on mass protests and industrial actions beginning on November 1, 2023.