By Ken Afor
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and other allied bodies have jointly given the federal government of Nigeria five days to meet their demands following the brutality unleashed on the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero on Wednesday in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
It would be recalled, Ajaero was said to have been physically assaulted by some armed persons allegedly sponsored by the Imo State Government at the NLC secretariat in Owerri during their protest and strike.
The NLC had last week Sunday said it would embark on a strike in the state over what it called a “violation of the rights of the Nigerian workers in the state” by the Imo State Government.
It was reported that some armed uniformed men stormed the secretariat and physically assaulted Ajaero and took him to an undisclosed location.
The armed men, after descending on the labour leaders and members, destroyed their vehicles, inflicted injuries on them and took their personal belongings including handsets, money, and ATM cards among other valuables.
Meanwhile, police in the state responding to the incident, said the NLC President was taken into protective custody.
This led to an outrage by members of the union.
However, 24 hours after the incident and his release, it was discovered that the NLC President was in a critical condition as a result of the physical assault which according to organised labour would require him to be flown abroad for proper medical care.
But in a new development, leaders of the NLC and TUC at a briefing Friday, have given the Federal Government a six-point demand, including the immediate removal of the Commissioner of Police, Imo State and Area Commander, among other officials, for their alleged complicity in the brutalisation and humiliation of Comrade Ajaero and other workers.
Also, the leaders of NLC and TUC are expected to meet on Tuesday, November 7, to decide on an appropriate response after Wednesday’s attack.
