IN COMPLIANCE with one of the demands of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) following the brutalisation of its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero last Wednesday, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has redeployed the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Stephen Olanrewaju.
Mr Olanrewaju was alleged to have ordered the brutalisation of Comrade Ajaero in Owerri, Imo State capital by thugs and armed policemen.
Following the incident, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), as well as a number of civil society organisations (CSOs), have in addition to condemning the attack, called for the removal of the Police Commissioner.
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The CSOs also blamed Governor Hope Uzodimma who is seeking re-election in next Saturday’s governorship election in the state for the attack on Ajaero.
While the governor has since denied involvement in the incident, he had disingenuously attributed the attack on alleged involvement of Comrade Ajaero in the politics of the state.
The IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, who announced the removal of the Police Commissioner, said on Sunday on Channels Television’s ‘People’s Townhall on Election Security’ that he is aware of the allegations against Mr Olanrewaju.
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“I am aware that there have been allegations on social media against the Commissioner of Police in Imo State but for this election, we are changing the commissioner of police in Imo,” the IGP had stated. The IGP also said the police have taken care of all the threats in the three states where off season election will be taking place, including Bayelsa and Kogi states. According to him, mopping up of arms will be periodical, before, during, and after the polls.
