Those Who Brutalized Ajaero Are Yet to Be Prosecuted – NLC

By: Chinedu Echianu 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed sadness over the non identification and prosecution of individuals involved in what it described as the abduction and brutalization of it’s President, Comrade Joe Ajaero during a peaceful protest in Owerri, the Imo state capital last year.

 

A statement signed by the Head of Information and Public Affairs at NLC, Benson Upah said despite assurances by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu who promised to ensure the prosecution of the culprits, one year after, nothing has been done.

 

The statement insisted that agents of the Imo state government carried out the attack on Ajaero in his home state, an action which it said was not witnessed even in the dark days of military rule.

 

According to the statement, “Today marks the first one year anniversary that the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero was abducted, brutalised and left for the dead by the agents of the state in Owerri, capital of Imo State.

 

“His offence was leading workers to peacefully protest against the non-payment of salaries and pensions in Imo State after exhausting all other processes of dialogue.

 

“The conditions precedent as prescribed by the law were fully met before the protest notice was sent to the state government. Yet Comrade Joe Ajaero was picked up beaten like a common felon.

 

“That the Nigeria Police released him to their medical personnel around 4:30pm at the Police Clinic underscored the severity of his condition.

 

“He had to be moved quickly to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri for a better management of his condition.

 

“The entire nation was stunned and outraged by the audacity and impunity of the agents of the state, for not even during the military era was such brutality or bestiality visited on any Labour leader let alone the President of the Nigeria Labour.

 

“It took more than six months of treatment in and outside the country for Comrade Joe Ajaero to fully regain his sight and functionality of his body. However, while he regained his sight and use of his body, state harassment did not abate.

 

“In or around August this year, the harassment reached an octane level when he was invited by the Police to defend himself on allegations of terrorism financing, subversion, treasonable felony, etc.

 

“In a scaled up operation, he was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, detained and prevented from attending a conference in the UK.

 

“One year after his first major ordeal we are delighted to inform the world that Joe Ajaero remains unbroken and unbowed, totally committed to serving Nigerian workers.

 

“It is nonetheless curious that none has been brought to justice for his ordeal in Imo State, his home state. We at the Nigeria Labour Congress do believe he is deserving of justice.

 

“The NSA gave his word that those involved in the despicable conduct in Imo State would be brought to book. It was the basis for suspending the national protest that followed the brutalisation of Joe Ajaero. It has been one full calendar year and counting.

 

“But whatever the attitude of the government may be to this, we at the Nigeria Labour Congress unequivocally state that on no condition must this ever happen again.

 

“This country has so much prospect. There is no reason for any of the citizens to go through what they are going through.” the statement concluded.