The leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday threatened a nationwide shutdown in the event that the Nigeria Police arrests and detains its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
The NLC, which handed down the threat on Tuesday morning at its headquarters shortly after its emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to discuss the invitation of the NLC President by the Police over allegations of terrorism financing and other criminal acts.
The NEC resolved that Ajaero should honor the Police invitation but noted that their Legal Adviser should seek more time for the NLC President to appear before the Police authorities.
Comrade Ado Kabiru Sani, the Deputy President of the NLC, enjoined the nation’s workforce to remain on standby for further directives should the Police act contrary to their expectation of detaining Ajaero.
His words: “As a committed labour Centre, we will honor the invitation of the Police because we are not a faceless organization. But we are working with our lawyer for an extension of time.
“In the event that the President is arrested, all workers will down tools immediately. We should wait for further directives from our leadership.”
The Nigeria Police has invited Ajaero to report on Tuesday morning to answer the allegations against him.
A letter conveying the invitation to the NLC President was written to him by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence response Team (IRT), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Adamu S. Muazu, and dated Monday August 19, 2024.
According to the letter: “This office is investigating a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion and Cybercrime in which you were mentioned.
“You are therefore invited to interview the undersigned on Tuesday 20th August, 2024 by 10.00Hrs, at Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction, Abuja through the Team leader… in connection with the above investigation.
“Be informed that in the event of failing to honour this letter, this office will have no alternative than to activate a warrant of arrest against you please.”