Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, has ordered an immediate investigation into the alleged attack on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, last week.
The force spokeswoman, Olumuyima Adejobi, said in a statement on Friday that the IGP asked the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department to undertake the investigation.
The IGP stated that an inquiry is necessary to determine the truth about Ajaero’s reported attack in Imo State last week.
The Police Commissioner requested the public to be calm about the situation, saying that the force would take appropriate measures based on its findings.
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault on the person of the President of the National Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
“Consequently, he has directed the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department to take over the matter with the primary objective of ascertaining the true facts surrounding the incident and addressing any ambiguities that may exist as the Police have been inundated with different versions of the incident making investigations imperative to clear the conflicting accounts.
“The Nigeria Police Force understands the importance of transparency and accountability in maintaining public trust. The IGP, therefore, assures the public, most especially the leadership of the organized labour, that a thorough and unbiased inquiry will be conducted to provide clarifications while urging organized labour and the public to remain calm, as he has personally intervened to address the issues surrounding this incident.
“The investigation has commenced, and the Nigeria Police Force guarantees that it will be followed to a conclusive end, and appropriate actions will be taken based on the investigation findings”, the Police spokesperson stated.
Platinum Times reports that Ajaero on Friday claimed that the Police handed him over to thugs to be beaten like a common criminal.
The development comes days after the NLC and Trade Union Congress shut down Imo State over the attack on Ajaero.