By Emmanuel Udodinma
The leadership of the Times Journalism Institute Alumni Association (TJAA) has condemned in totality the attack on one of them and President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero in Imo State on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
TJAA in a statement jointly signed by its President, Mr. Clifford Agugoesi and the Public relations officer, Mrs. Queen Martina and made available to Timesreporters online on Thursday, decried the attack on Comrade Joe Ajaero in his home state of Imo in the South Eastern part of Nigeria, leading to manhandling and assault of the person of number 1 worker in the country.
“The brutalisation of the number one worker of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in his home State of Imo, is one incident too many! If Joe Ajaero, a foremost Journalist and Labour Leader can be so treated, then, we fear for the common men and women of Imo State; and, indeed, all Nigerians, who may have anything to do with Imo State,” the group lamented.
“They also viewed the atrocious and inhumane treatment meted to Joe Ajaero with alarm and great concern.
“This ugly incident appears to signpost a failure of State and compromise of Security architecture, especially in view of the Off Season Elections coming up in the State,” they said.
The perpetrators of the dastardly brutalisation of citizen Joe Ajaero, TJAA pointed out, must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others who may be minded to resorting to the Rule of the Jungle, whether they be located in Government, Law Enforcement or society.
“We understand that Comrade Ajaero is currently recuperating from injuries arising from his brutalization and wish him a quick recovery,” they said.
TJAA equally called on the President and Commander-in -chief- of the Nigerian Armed forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and all relevant authorities to wade into this issue and bring the culprits to face the full weight of the law.
“We are worried that, if swept under carpet, the strength and integrity of our trade unions and institutions risk being impaired. We, equally, appeal to all Nigerians to remain calm, while stressing that security agencies must investigate those behind this dastardly act, speedily and bring them to account for their awfully ignoble deeds, that have no place in our extant laws,” the group said.
