The Nigerian government has deployed a contingent of soldiers, police personnel, and operatives from other security agencies to disperse Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) members at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The NLC and TUC members had assembled at the Abuja airport to enforce their directive to aviation workers, urging them to halt all flights to Owerri, Imo State.
The action was prompted by the reported assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero by police personnel allegedly affiliated with Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration.
Ajaero was reportedly subjected to physical assault and blindfolded following his arrest by security operatives, according to a statement released by the NLC last week.
The union also highlighted that Ajaero’s confiscated belongings, including his phone, had not been returned.
At the protest scene, union members sang and chanted, displaying banners with messages like ‘We Stand With Oppressed Imo State Workers – An Injury To One Is An Injury To All.’
One of the protesters informed Sahara Reporters that security forces comprising the Department of State Security, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were at the airport with instructions to disperse the gathering by force. However, no confrontation had commenced at the time of reporting.
