The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said on Thursday that its president, Joe Ajaero, is in critical condition and may be flown abroad for medical treatment after he was beaten and brutalized by alleged state agents, including policemen, in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Wednesday.
Ajaero was arrested and taken into protective custody by police while leading a protest over unpaid salaries and other grievances. He was later released but was found to have sustained serious injuries.
Chris Onyeka, an assistant general secretary of the NLC, told Vanguard that Ajaero is “so weak and can hardly talk.” He added that the NLC is considering flying him abroad for a full medical examination, as there is concern that he may have been injected with a substance.
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The NLC has suspended its protest in Imo State and has called for an investigation into the attack on Ajaero and other labour leaders. The union has also threatened to call a nationwide strike if the government does not take action.
The attack on Ajaero has been condemned by human rights groups and civil society organizations, who have called for the government to respect the right to freedom of assembly and expression.
The NLC is one of the most powerful labour unions in Africa and has a long history of fighting for workers’ rights.
