Ajaero’s Abduction: NLC Decries Non Arrest, Prosecution of Culprits 

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja 

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has lamented that one year after the President of the trade union movement, Joe Ajaero, was abducted and brutalised in Owerri, Imo State capital, nothing has been done by the government to bring the perpetrators to book.

In a statement signed by the Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, NLC said that although the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, gave his word that those involved in the despicable conduct in Imo State would be brought to book, nothing was done 12 months after the incident.

NLC said: “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.

“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.”

While recalling the incident, NLC said that Comrade Ajaero was picked up, beaten like a common felon during a peacefully protest against the non-payment of salaries and pensions in Imo State last year.

NLC however said that it was delighted that Ajaero remained unbroken and unbowed, totally committed to serving Nigerian workers.