Passengers stranded, flights cancelled as labour unions picket Abuja airport

Several passengers have been left stranded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport in Abuja.

This comes as members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) make good their threat to impede all flights billed for Owerri, the Imo state capital.

The road leading to the airport has also been blocked as traffic builds up.

The unions had declared a nationwide industrial action last week after Joe Ajaero, president of the NLC, was assaulted and brutalised in Imo.

Labour had restated that Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo, and the police command in the state, were responsible for Ajaero’s ordeal.

The governor and the police had denied their involvement.

On Wednesday, aviation unions directed their workers to withdraw services to all Owerri flights from all airports in Nigeria in line with the directive from organised labour.

The statement was issued by the National Union Of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots And Engineers (NAAPE).

At the time of reporting, NLC and TUC protesters have blocked the entrance and exits of the Abuja airport.

Several passengers billed to fly from the airport today could be seen milling around the facility or walking away in droves.

Some flights to Imo from Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, have been cancelled or rescheduled.

The unions had announced that a nationwide strike over the treatment meted on Ajaero would commence on November 14.