The Imo State Police Command has denied reports that its operatives arrested the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero.
NAIJAHITZ reports that officers of the Command have whisked the NLC President away during a protest in Owerri, the state capital on Wednesday morning.
The NLC President was in Owerri to mobilize Imo workers for a mega protest rally in the state over alleged violation and abuse of rights and privileges of workers by the State government.
Reacting to the report of Ajaero’s arrest, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Okoye explained that the NLC President was taken into custody following an attack on him.
The PPRO said the attack occured over a scuffle and heated argument that followed suggestions by the protesters to lock down some essential facilities, particularly the airport in the state.
The statement reads,
“Upon receiving this report, the Imo Police Command swiftly deployed police operatives to the scene where the Officer in Charge exercised his operational discretion by taking the NLC President into protective custody at the State Command Headquarters to ensure the protection of his life and that he was not lynched in the scuffle that followed.
“The Commissioner of Police thereafter directed that he should be taken to the Police Medical Services, Owerri, where he would be accorded medical attention as a result of the attack.
“He has therefore been accorded adequate security cover to proceed on his other legitimate engagements for the day.”