It appears the days of protests by labour unions in Nigeria are nearing a permanent end. In what members of the union say violates the constitution of Nigeria, protesters have been forced to scamper for safety in Imo State.Â
Everything started well as planned by the labour unions and it was progressing peacefully.
The momentum was rising, but the labour union members, who had come out to protest, were not aware it will be short-lived.
Suddenly, commotion began, and operatives of the Imo State Police Command showed up with guns and ready to disperse the protesters.
They seized the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and took him away.
The development took place as hoodlums descended on protesters, smashing vehicles and inflicting wounds on labour members.
At the time of filing this report, the whereabout of the NLC President is unknown, as heavily armed security personnel took him away.
The Protest
Joe Ajaero had earlier directed all members of the Union and affiliate Unions to shut down all sectors in Imo State, including air, land and sea, as the union commenced protest.
Ajaero had announced the commencement of the protest at the end of the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in the late hours of Tuesday, October 31, 2023, in Owerri, the state capital.
Workers Welfare
The NLC president also accused the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, of violating and neglecting workers’ welfare.
Also Read: ‘Shutdown Imo State’ – NLC Tells Members As Protest Begins
He alleged that due to the hostile actions of the governor towards workers in the state, many of them have died because of the lack of payment of their salaries.
Also, Joe Ajaero lamented the non-compliance with the national minimum wage by the state government.
He also accused Uzodimma of refusing to implement previous agreements, especially the accord reached on January 9, 2021.
It is not clear who the hoodlums were, but Imo State is one of the states in the Southeast with high activities of IPOB group.
However, the group has not claimed responsibility for the attack on protesters.
