WE HAVE NO HAND IN ARREST OF NLC PRESIDENT— IMO STATE GOVT

REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

The Imo State Government says it has no hand in the arrest of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba in a statement described as mischief the accusation by some individuals that the government effected the arrest of the labour leader.

He noted that the purported strike in the State had been stopped by the National Industrial Court in Owerri, which made the planned action illegal.

Chief Emelumba  explained that it was in compliance with the Court order,that the Imo State chapter of NLC announced that it was pulling out of the strike.

The statement wondered what Comrade Ajaero was doing in Owerri in defiance of the order of the court, which warned of severe consequences against disobedience.

Chief Emelumba said information at the disposal of government indicated that there might have been a clash between workers of Imo State and invaders from Abuja, which led to police intervention to maintain the peace.

He added  that the Government believed in the rule of law hence would not contemplate arresting the NLC President.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command has confirmee that its operatives took the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, to what it called protective custody to save him from an attack arising from a planned protest against the state government.

The police Spokesperson, Mr. Henry Okoye, in a statement, said Comrade Ajaero had since been released and given security to continue with his other engagements.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU