On November 1, highly armed policemen pulled up Ajaero at the NLC secretariat in Owerri.
On Friday, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, was allegedly attacked. The claim prompted Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, to conduct a full investigation.
On November 1, highly armed policemen pulled up Ajaero at the NLC secretariat in Owerri. He was leading a nationwide demonstration and strike in the Imo State capital at the time of his detention for issues the Congress claimed included a lack of respect for workers and unpaid pay and pensions.
The IGP stated that the investigation’s goals are to resolve any remaining uncertainties and to uncover the incident’s facts more than a week after it occurred.
According to a statement released by the Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, “the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, has ordered investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault on the person of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero.”
The Deputy Inspector General overseeing the Force Criminal Investigation Department was specifically instructed by the IGP to assume responsibility for the situation.
The police chief emphasised the need for accountability and openness in upholding public trust and gave the people, particularly the organised labour leadership, the assurance that an exhaustive and impartial investigation would be carried out.
He explained that this is to provide clarifications and that he has personally intervened to resolve the difficulties surrounding this tragedy. He also urged organised labour and the people to maintain their composure.
The statement further stated, “The investigation has begun, and the Nigeria Police Force guarantees that it will be followed to a definitive end, and appropriate actions will be taken based on the investigation’s findings.”
