Again, Police Invite NLC President Ajaero, Secretary Ugboaja

The Nigeria Police Force has again invited the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero.

Also invited along with Ajaero is the Secretary General of the union, Emmanuel Ugboaja.

The invitation letter is dated August 28, 2024, a day before Ajaero honoured the earlier invitation at the Force Headquarters Abuja.

The letter signed by CP Rufus Alajide for Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, said the latest invitation is in furtherance of investigation into alleged “criminal intimidation, malicious damage to properties and conducts likely to cause breach of public peace”.

The invitation seen by Channels Television on Friday, read, “In furtherance of investigations into the alleged case of Criminal Intimidation, Conducts Likely to Cause Breach of Public Peace and Malicious Damage to Properties in which your name featured.

“You are requested to come along with Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja or an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force intelligence Department (FID) through the undersigned, at SPO’s Room 12, 2nd Floor, Force Intelligence Department (FID) Complex, Shehu hagari way, opposite Force Headquarters Area 11, Garki, Abuja on Thursday, 5th September, 2024 at 11am.

“On arrival, you may wish to call Mr. Usman on GSM number 08039659139. Your cooperation in this regard is highly solicited, please.”

The NLC President was earlier invited by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), over allegations of “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”

Ajaero reported at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday morning accompanied by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, and others.

After honouring the invitation, Ajaero returned to the NLC headquarters where he addressed a crowd of NLC members who had gathered in solidarity with him.

In his speech, Ajaero described the labour movement as the most patriotic organisation in the country, promising that the union won’t compromise its patriotism no matter the challenge it faces.

“The labour movement is worth dying for because of the patriotism and commitment. Labour movement is one of the biggest pan Nigeria organisations, our patriotism from the days of colonial government to even the period of the military is unshakable,” Ajaero said.

“We are more patriotic than any other institution you can think of in this country and we are going to continue to be that. We have gone there and we are back, I just want to confirm to you that as a citizen we have gone there and we are back here.”

He described the police invitation as one of the hazards of being a labour leader, recalling how even at unit level he went to cell under late former head of state General Sani Abacha in the 90s.

Ajaero said the most important thing at the moment is that he is back to continue the struggle of demanding better welfare for the Nigerian workers, saying “we will not listen to any distraction”.

He thanked the NLC members gathered at the headquarters and others across the country for the level of solidarity they have given to him.