Metro

Nigerian labour leader abducted, brutalized

Published

7 months ago

November 2, 2023

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero was on Wednesday, abducted and seriously brutalized by during a protest by the union in Imo State, in south-east Nigeria.

The NLC President along with other national leaders of NLC and their counterparts in the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) had gathered in solidarity with civil servants at the State Secretariat in Owerri, the state capital, to begin a planned protest over a backlog of unpaid salaries and allowances running into several months when security agents allegedly stormed the venue and abducted him and others while one person was feared killed in the melee.

The state workers were also protesting against the government over its refusal to implement previous agreements, salary arrears, unjust declaration of workers as ghost workers, destruction of NLC state secretariat, implementation of discriminatory pay and unpaid gratuity arrears.

They also lamented the non-compliance with the National Minimum Wage, intimidation and harassment of trade union leaders, use of violence and thuggery, misappropriation of union dues, declaration of pensioners as ghosts, systematic harassment and intimidation of workforce, resistance to social dialogue and collective bargaining, interference with workers’ democratic processes, they stated.

They also alleged that apart from the operatives, heavily armed thugs said to be loyal to the state governor, Hope Uzodimma, also descended on the labour leaders and other protesters, smashing vehicles, inflicting injuries and dispossessing them of their handsets, money, ATM cards, and other valuables.

Labour leaders who narrated what happened to journalists said trouble started when workers were trying to gain access into the state secretariat of the NLC for the protest and thugs in about 10 mini-buses armed with dangerous weapons stormed the secretariat and attacked labour leaders, workers and chased them away.

They said Ajaero was on the verge of addressing the gathering when a combined team of armed policemen and hooded men in trucks stormed the venue and arrested him alongside some labour leaders and some journalists, shooting sporadically.

The NLC Head of Information and Publicity, Benson Upah, who later addressed newsmen, said those who arrested Ajaero were led by the State’s Commissioner of Police.

“The NLC President was abducted by policemen armed to their teeth at the Imo state NLC secretariat on Wednesday as we were about to commence our lawful protest against the violation of trade Union rights of the workers,” Upah said.

“As workers were gathering to protest their maltreatment by the state government in Owerri, Imo State and the President of NLC was about to address the workers, the Police came amidst attacks by thugs to arrest Ajaero.

“Thugs first attacked and dragged Ajaero from the platform before police came to arrest him along with another senior official of the NLC.

“There were about five naval personnel on duty. The Police arrested and brutalized the President and took him to their Tiger base and nobody has sighted him”, he added.

Ajaere, who was later released late into the evening, had bruises on his face.

“He was thoroughly brutalized, his right eye at the time of contact was completely shut. Ajaero, who spoke little, stated that immediately after his arrest, he was beaten up and blind-folded and taken to an unknown destination where more brutalisation took place, sometimes with bottles. His phones, money and other personal effects were taken from him and have not been returned to him,” the union spokesman said.

The police have however denied the allegations, claiming they rescued Ajaero and took him into protective custody.

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Metro

Nigeria kicks as South African police torture citizen to death

Published

3 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) has condemned the killing of another of its citizens, Prince Muoka Ebuka, who was reportedly tortured to death by the police on Friday, May 17, in Danielskuil, Northern Cape, over drug-related allegations.

The Union, in a statement, also demands an immediate probe into the killing of the 43-year-old businessman who hailed from Obosi in Anambra State, said the incident further highlights a disturbing trend of police abuse targeting Nigerians in the Northern Cape.

The statement issued on Saturday and signed by NUSA National Publicity Secretary, Habib Miller, indicated that the deceased was tortured to death by the police in the guise of interrogation over drug related allegations.

“Since March, there have been similar cases in Kimberley involving drug accusations and police violence. Another Nigerian, Chika Anuino, was killed by police in Springs, Johannesburg, on April 25,” the NUSA statement said.

“Reports from Ebuka’s wife, Joyce, paint a harrowing picture of law enforcement officers storming their residence, compelling her to evacuate to shield their young child from witnessing the violence.

“Ebuka was then subjected to assault and coerced to produce drugs allegedly in his possession. When their search proved fruitless, they forcibly escorted him to a waste dump, alleging he had concealed illegal substances there.

“Eyewitnesses further allege egregious misconduct, with officers resorting to coercive tactics, including requesting pepper spray after emerging from Mr Ebuka’s residence.

“Despite employing drug detection methods, no evidence was found, yet the relentless interrogation tragically led to his demise.

“Moreover, the lack of proper crime scene preservation raises grave doubts about the integrity of the investigation,” NUSA stated.

Miller noted that the incident has been further complicated by the police’s refusal to issue a statement or allow the victim’s family to open a case docket on the murder of their breadwinner, adding that the had faced intimidation from the police when she tried to report her husband’s death.

NUSA said the Union demands a thorough, impartial investigation into Prince Ebuka’s killing and the broader issue of police abuse in the Northern Cape.

Metro

Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ repositioning Nigeria as global investment hub— VP Shettima

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Vice President Kashim Shettima believes the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the President Bola Tinubu administration is gradually transformating Nigeria into a global investment hub and a prime investment destination.

The Nigerian VP who made the assertion on Friday during a High-level dialogue on delivering the “Renewed Hope Agenda” on the theme, “Nigeria’s Global Ambitions: From Hope to Reality,” held in Abuja, said the policy thrust of the present administration was aimed at repositioning Nigeria with the agenda hinged on the “core pillars of democracy, development, demographics, and diaspora engagement.”

Shettima, a former governor of Borno State, noted that the “present moment serves as the opportune time to remind both Nigerians and the global community that Nigeria stands ready to embrace the future and conduct business.”

Shettima went on to outline the Tinubu administration’s ambitious roadmap, noting that the President’s commitment to bold reforms and strategic partnerships to revive the nation’s economy and enhance security has been applauded by the international community including the United States, the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), among others.

“Our reason for this gathering is less about the certainty of our vision for this nation. This has never been in doubt. We are here because of our place in a world of opportunities—a world that can’t afford to neglect or underestimate our place,” Shettima said.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a policy framework; it is a statement of commitment, a covenant between us and the people.”

The V pointed out that at the heart of the administration’s foreign policy approach, dubbed the ‘Tinubu Doctrine,’ is a ‘4-D Diplomacy Strategy’ centred on promoting democracy, driving economic development, harnessing Nigeria’s demographic potential, and engaging with the diaspora community.

“This is further evidenced by the recently announced $10 billion Diaspora Fund, a multi-sectoral investment initiative set to be launched soon and expected to strengthen ties with our diaspora community while boosting forex inflows to support our national development plans,” the Vice President said.

On security challenges dogging the country, Shettima assured of the administration’s commitment to guaranteeing the safety of lives and properties through regional and national interventions.

“This is the time to partner for democracy, for development, for peace, and for security,” he enthused.