BREAKING: Police Says We Rescued NLC President From Being Lynched By Irate Mobs In Imo State

The Imo State Police Command of the Nigeria Police Force said on Wednesday the National President, Nigerian Labour Congress NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero has rescued by the operatives as way of protecting him from being lynched by mobs.

According to a statement made available by ASP Okoye Henry, Public Relations Officer, IMO State Command,some workers and other individuals at the airport resisted the picketing process by the labour union, leading to scuffles and heated arguments and an eventual attack on the person of the president by a mob.

Okoye stated that the Imo Police Command swiftly deployed police operatives to the scene where the kfficer 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 Imo State Police Command wishes to clarify some sketchy reports alleging the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Owerri.

‘It is pertinent to state that the NLC President was in Owerri as part of arrangements of the Congress to mobilize 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.

He further noted that 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 said Comrade Ajaero 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 27th October, 2023, barring the NLC from holding the intended protest rally in Owerri.

The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Police Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde was therefore quoted urged 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 11th November 2023.

By Roland Ekama