The Imo State Police Command has completely denied any arrest of the National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ahaero in Owerri.
The Command, however, acknowledged that Comrade Ajaero was taken to protective custody at the State Police Headquarters Owerri to ensure his protection and that he was not lynched in the scuffle that erupted in Owerri on Wednesday.
In a statement issued in Owerri by the Imo State Police Command Public Relations Officer ASP Henry Okafor in clarification on some sketchy reports alleging the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, the Command spokesperson acknowledged the fact that the latter was in Owerri as part of arrangements of the Congress to mobilise workers for a mega protest rally in the State.
He said that 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.
He said that 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.
Okoye said that the Commissioner of Police has directed that the NLC National President should be taken to the Police Medical Services, Owerri, where he would be accorded medical attention as a result of the attack.
According to him, he has therefore been accorded adequate security cover to proceed on his other legitimate engagements for the day.
The PPRO recalled the existence of a court injunction from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria held in Owerri with Suit No. NICN/OW/41/2023 dated 27th October 2023, barring the NLC from holding the intended protest rally in Owerri.
However, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Police Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, has urged all concerned parties to ensure compliance with the Court directives so as to avoid jeopardizing the current security arrangements in Owerri and other parts of the State, even as the State gears up for the forthcoming electioneering process on 11th November 2023.
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