The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Wednesday, accused Imo state police command of arresting and brutalising the Congress President, Joe Ajaero.
But the command said he was only rescued from a mob and put in protective custody.
Medical experts at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, are said to be currently battling to save the eyes of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero.
NLC’s Head of Media and Publicity Benson Upah said this in a statement, confirming the release of the Mr Ajaero.
He said, “Contact was made with Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero this evening around 1530 hours at the Police Hospital in Owerri from where he was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owerri where he is receiving medical attention.”
The police had said Mr Ajeoro was taken into custody for his protection, but the NLC said he was brutalised after his arrest.
“Thoroughly brutalised, his (Ajeoro’s) right eye at the time of contact was completely shut,” Mr Ujah said.
“Ajaero who said little 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.”
Mr Ajaero’s phones, money and other personal effects were taken from him and have not been returned to him, according to Mr Ujah.
He was picked up by the police at the NLC secretariat in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Wednesday.
Mr Ajaero was in the state for the NLC’s statewide protest and strike over what the union described as a lack of respect for workers, unpaid salaries and pensions, and other issues.
