Terrorism Investigation: NLC confirms invite by Police to Ajaero
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has confirmed the invite sent by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, for an interview in relation to an alleged ongoing terrorism investigation.
The Congress has raised the alarm concerning the safety of its President by asking the question; “Who wants Joe Ajaero out of circulation?”
The NLC’s Head of Information and Public Affairs, Comrade Benson Upah, confirmed the development in a statement made available to journalists on Monday night.
Upah’s statement read in part: “The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has been invited by the Nigeria Police Force for an ‘interview’ on charges related to ‘criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
“The letter of invitation, signed by ACP Adamu Mu’azu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police Intelligence and dated August 19, 2024, states that Ajaero’s name was mentioned in ongoing investigations connected to ‘criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, reasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
“The letter directed Ajaero to report at the IRT Complex, Abattoir by Guzape Junction on Tuesday, August 20th, at 10:00 AM, threatening that a warrant of arrest would be issued against him if he failed to report.
“A personal message sent to Comrade Joe Ajaero by SP Moshood stated; “We were at the Labour House to submit this (letter of invitation), but the place was locked, sir.’
“We find this curious because staff were in the office beyond 6 PM.
“We also note that Comrade Joe Ajaero was not addressed by his official title of President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“Clearly, the last has not been heard about the raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“Prior to the raid, the Congress had advised the government to dialogue with the organizers of the protest, even as the Congress had clearly stated it was not part of the protest.
“The Congress criticized the Police for the high casualty rate during the protest.
“In its NEC communique after the raid, the Congress expressed outrage at the behavior of the Police and demanded an apology from both the Police and the government.
“At its world press conference last Thursday, the Congress raised an alarm that if anything should happen to the leadership of the Congress or any of its members, the Police should be held accountable.”
“The question on the lips of those in the know is, who wants Joe Ajaero out of circulation?”
Hooded security agents had on July 7, 2024, conducted a night raid on the Labour House National secretariat of NLC located in Abuja’s Central Business District (CBD).
Following the alarm raised by Congress over the unfortunate incident, the Police admitted being responsible for the operation, claiming that it was meant to uncover incriminating documents that could help build a case against an international “subversive” figure considered a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
The NLC not only rejected the Police explanation for carrying out the raid, but also demanded the immediate release of its arrested members and seized documents.
This is as the Congress further slammed the government over its attempts to interfere with the Labour Movement’s internal affairs, including a proposed move to reduce the tenure of trade union leaders in the country.
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