ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Following the injuries sustained by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, due to arrest by some Imo State government officials, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said the health condition of its principal is very critical and may be flown abroad for full medical examination.
Ajaero was seriously beaten, brutalized and battered by alleged agents of the state including policemen on Wednesday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, after his was arrested
Recall that suspected agents of the state and security operatives had descended on Ajaero alongside other Labour leaders smashing their vehicles, inflicting injuries and dispossessing handsets, money, ATM cards among other valuables from Labour leaders and others who had gathered at the NLC State secretariat to begin a scheduled protest over pending labour issues.
The NLC President, other national leaders of NLC and their Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterpart, were at the state Secretariat in Owerri to protest among other grievances backlog of unpaid salaries and allowances, Pensions, gratuities and non-compliance with National Minimum Wage Act.
READ ALSO: NLC President Joe Ajaero Narrates Ordeal During His Arrest By Police
Ajaero, after he was released from Police abduction on Wednesday night, was said to looked very weak was wearing a neck collar with weal all over his skin and was “referred to ophthalmic investigation, a head/brain scan, a full body scan, and cervical spine therapy among other investigations.”
Speaking on the health condition of Ajaero, an Assistant General Secretary and chief of Staff to the NLC president, Chris Onyeka, decried that his situation had worsened and could hardly talk saying he almost passed out last night.
According to him: “The Congress President is in a very critical condition. He is so weak and can hardly talk. He almost passed out last night.
“The Congress is considering flying him abroad for full medical examination. There is high apprehension and fear that he might have been injected with substance.
“Like you may have seen, he was brutally beaten, brutalized and battered in addition to confiscating his phones, monies and others personal belongings. We have suspended the action in Imo State because besides the President, other Labour leaders suffered similar fate.
“They need to take care of themselves and recover from the injuries inflicted on them by agents of the state government including operatives of the Imo State Police Command.”
Vanguard reports that the leaders of NLC and TUC will meet next week Tuesday, to decide on appropriate response to the attack and brutalization of the NLC President and other labour leaders in Owerri.