IGP ORDERS'THOROUGH' PROBE INTO ASSAULT ON NLC PRESIDENT AJAERO

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The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on Friday ordered a thorough probe into the allegation of assault on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

On November 1, Ajaero was picked up at the NLC secretariat in Owerri by heavily armed policemen. At the time of his arrest, he was leading a statewide protest and strike in the Imo State capital over what the Congress described as a lack of respect for workers, unpaid salaries and pensions, amongst others.

More than a week after the incident, the IGP said the investigation is to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident and to address any ambiguities that may exist.

“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, has ordered investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault on the person of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero,” a statement by the Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, read.

Read the full statement below:

PRESS RELEASE

ALLEGED ASSAULT OF NLC PRESIDENT: IGP WADES IN, CHARGES DIG FCID ON THOROUGH INVESTIGATION

Calls for Calm

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault on the person of the President of the National Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

Consequently, he has directed the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department to take over the matter with the primary objective of ascertaining the true facts surrounding the incident and to address any ambiguities that may exist as the Police has been inundated with different versions of the incident making investigations imperative to clear the conflicting accounts.

The Nigeria Police Force understands the importance of transparency and accountability in maintaining public trust. 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 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.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA

Friday 10th November 2023