The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the police of beating up its President, JOE AJAERO after he was arrested at the NLC secretariat in Imo State yesterday afternoon.

NLC’s Head of Media and Publicity, BENSON UPAH said this in a statement, confirming the release of the AJAERO.

He said the police claimed the NLC leader was taken into custody for his protection, but the union said he was brutalised after his arrest, and his right eye at the time of contact was completely shut.

AJAERO, on his part, stated that immediately after his arrest, he was beaten up and blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination where more brutalisation took place, sometimes with bottles.

According to the statement, AJAERO’s phones, money and other personal effects were taken from him and have not been returned to him.

The NLC President was in the state for the union’s statewide protest and strike over what the union described as a lack of respect for workers, unpaid salaries and pensions, and other issues.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command said the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), JOE AJAERO, was placed in protective custody, hours after the union accused the police of arresting its leader.

In a statement, the Command’s spokesperson, OKOYE HENRY, said police operatives decided that AJAERO’s safety was their priority after an attack by a mob.

The police spokesman also said there is an order from the National Industrial Court in Owerri barring the NLC from holding the intended protest rally in the state.

The Imo State Government has also denied involvement in the arrest of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade JOE AJAERO.

Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, DECLAN EMELUMBA stated that those accusing the government were perennial mischief makers always crying wolf where there is none.