The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, was allegedly abducted and beaten up in Owerri by police officers and thugs said to be carrying out the orders of the Imo State governor Hope Uzodinma.
In a statement issued today, the trade union said Ajaero was attacked as he led protests against the violation of workers’ rights in the state. The police officers teamed up with thugs to carry out the attacks and were led by Chinasa Nwanneri, a special assistant to the governor on “special duties”. It would appear such “special duties” include thuggery.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC); COMRADE JOE AJAERO HAS BEEN ABDUCTED BY HOPE UZODIMMA AND THE IMO STATE POLICE COMMISSIONER pic.twitter.com/PjwHToDYsU
— Nigeria Labour Congress HQ (@NLCHeadquarters) November 1, 2023
The NLC pledged to remain undeterred by the intimidation and will continue the struggle until the demands of workers in Imo State are met. Workers in the state are said to be owed salary arrears of up to two years. The NLC also claims the government has failed to implement the national minimum wage of 65,000 naira a month.
