Police invitation to Ajaero: NUPENG puts oil workers on red alert

Police invitation to Ajaero: NUPENG puts oil workers on red alert

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has put all its members nationwide on red alert and ready for industrial action should the Police arrest the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero.

Recall that the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, arm of the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, on Monday, August 19, invited Ajaero for questioning over allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, IRT, in a letter, said Ajaero should appear at the IRT office, Force Headquarters, on August 20, warning that he would be arrested if he failed to honour the invitation.

The NLC had, through its lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, written to the Inspector General of Police, IGP, explaining why the NLC President could not honour the August 20 date.

However, Falana assured that Ajaero would honour the Police invitation on August 29 and requested that the Police furnish him with details and the nature of the allegations.

NUPENG

But in a circular to all its branches and members, NUPENG’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, has asked oil workers nationwide to be ready for action in case of any eventuality and wait further directives from the leadership.

Read Also: FAAN eyes incentives to lure investors to smaller airports

The circular read in part: “The leadership of our great Union finds the invasion of the National
Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress by some Security agencies and the recent allegations levelled against Comrades Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress by the Nigeria Police Force very intriguing and deeply concerning.

“And as a very committed and strong affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress, we cannot but express our strongest reservations over these unwholesome developments and situations.

“In the light of these and consequent upon the resolution of the National Executive Council, NEC, of the Nigeria Labour Congress, we earnestly write to put all our members on notice to await further directive on appropriate lines of actions as we keenly observe and noting the unfolding situation concerning the Invitation of the President of the NLC by the Nigeria Police Force.

“Our solidarity remains constant for the union makes us strong. The struggles continue. And we shall overcome.”