By Milcah Tanimu

Tensions escalated at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja as the Nigerian government deployed a significant contingent of soldiers, police personnel, and operatives from various security agencies to disperse members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC). The protesters had gathered at the airport to enforce their directive to aviation workers, calling for a halt to all flights to Owerri, Imo State.

The directive stemmed from the reported assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero by police personnel allegedly associated with Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration. Ajaero was said to have been physically assaulted and blindfolded during his arrest, with the NLC claiming that his confiscated belongings, including his phone, had not been returned.

At the protest site, union members displayed banners with messages of solidarity, such as ‘We Stand With Oppressed Imo State Workers – An Injury To One Is An Injury To All.’ The atmosphere was charged with chants and songs expressing their grievances.

According to a protester interviewed by Sahara Reporters, security forces, including the Department of State Security, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were present at the airport with orders to disperse the gathering forcefully. However, as of the time of reporting, there had been no reported confrontation between the protesters and security forces.