Imo State police command have arrested the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, in the state capital of Owerri.
Ajaero was apprehended at the NLC State Council Secretariat by a squad of heavily armed police officers and subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.
The arrest comes amidst the NLC’s spearheading of a widespread protest and strike in Owerri.
The demonstrations are in response to the alleged disregard for workers’ rights, unpaid salaries, and several other grievances reported by the NLC.
This action has caused significant unrest and marked a tense confrontation between the labour union and state authorities.
At the time of filing this report, the whereabout of the NLC President is unknown as heavily armed security personnel took him away.
Ajaero had earlier directed all members of the Union and affiliate Unions to shut down all sectors in Imo State, including air, land and sea, as the union commences protest today.
Eventville reports that Ajaero announced the commencement of the protest at the end of the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in the late hours of Tuesday, October 31, 2023, in Owerri, the state capital.
NLC president had accused the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, of violating and neglecting workers’ welfare
He alleged that due to the hostile actions of the governor towards workers in the state, many of them have died because of the lack of payment of their salaries.
Speaking further, Ajaero lamented the non-compliance with the national minimum wage by the state government while accusing Uzodimma of refusing to implement previous agreements, especially the accord reached on January 9, 2021.