The Imo State Police Command has denied the arrest of the Nigerian Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero.
A statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Michael Abattam, on Wednesday, said that Ajaero was in Owerri as part of the Congress’s plans to organise labourers for a massive protest demonstration in the state.
However, there were reports of proposals to lock down some crucial facilities, mainly the airport in the state.
Abattam said that this action prompted some workers and other individuals to oppose the picketing process, which resulted in heated arguments and an eventual attack on Ajaero by a mob.
Following the receipt of this report, the Imo Police Command moved quickly to send police officers to the scene.
The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Police Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, gave the order to transport Ajaero to the Police Medical Services in Owerri to receive treatment for his injuries.
“It is pertinent to state that the NLC President was in Owerri as part of arrangements of the Congress to mobilise 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”
“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 has therefore been accorded adequate security cover to proceed on his other legitimate engagements for the day,” the statement partly read.
