Osun labour condemns police harassment after three council workers arrested

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

Osun State Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned what it described as police harassment following the arrest of three local government workers for allegedly stealing council documents and property. The arrests occurred on Monday as employees resumed duties after months away from work.

At Boluwaduro Local Government, two workers were reportedly apprehended for taking stationery and vital official documents from the council secretariat, while one staff member was arrested in Egbedore Local Government.

Speaking on the development, the Chairman of Irepodun Local Government, Chief Adegoke Ogunsola, said the resumption of workers was seamless, but three employees were taken into custody for alleged theft.

Ogunsola added, “We have a situation in Egbedore and Boluwaduro councils. Three workers were arrested. They were not harassed but handed over to police for further investigation.”

However, Comrade Christopher Abimbola Arapasopo, Chairman of the Osun State NLC, strongly condemned the arrests, warning that continued harassment of local government workers would provoke labour action.

Arapasopo alleged that police officers were complicit in supporting some politicians to parade and humiliate council workers, describing the practice as “unacceptable” and “disgraceful.”

He added, “We have seen videos and pictures of our members being forced to kneel. We condemn this conduct. We call on the police to release them and declare our solidarity with our members. The APC is pushing to plunge Osun into crisis and create mayhem. We will resist legally and lawfully and will not tolerate ongoing harassment at the local government level.”

Arapasopo concluded by commending the state governor for his support of labour, urging that “the police should stop being used by politicians to intimidate our members and allow workers to carry out their duties without fear.”