Egbetokun directs deputy IGP to probe assault on Ajaero

Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), has ordered an investigation into the assault on Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said in a statement on Friday, that Egbetokun has directed the deputy IGP force criminal investigation department (FCID) to investigate the incident.

On November 1, Ajaero was reportedly picked up from the Imo council secretariat of the congress in Owerri by heavily armed police officers.

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NLC said Ajaero was beaten and blindfolded immediately after security operatives arrested him.

However, the police command in Imo said Ajaero was not arrested but was taken into protective custody to avoid being lynched by a mob.

The IGP announced the redeployment of Mohammed Barde, the commissioner of police in Imo, ahead of the governorship election in the state.

The organised labour had accused Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo, of allegedly masterminding the assault on the NLC president.

But the governor denied having hands in the ordeal of the labour leader.

The organised labour also directed its members to embark on a nationwide strike from November 14.

Owing to the incident, aviation unions directed their workers to withdraw services to all Owerri flights from all airports in Nigeria.

‘AN UNBIASED INQUIRY’

According to Adejobi, the IGP assured the leadership of the organised labour that a “thorough and unbiased” investigation would be conducted on the incident.

“The IGP therefore assures the public, most especially the leadership of the organized labour, that a thorough and unbiased inquiry will be conducted to provide clarifications while urging organized labour and the public to remain calm, as he has personally intervened to address the issues surrounding this incident,” the statement reads.

“The investigation has commenced, and the Nigeria Police Force guarantees that it will be followed to a conclusive end, and appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.”