The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, on Wednesday said some suspects connected to the assault on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, the Imo State capital have been arrested
DAILY GIST reports that Ajaero, who stormed Owerri to lead a protest, was severely beaten on November 1, 2023.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Ajaero lamented that the kind of beating he received after security agents handed him over to the thugs was better imagined than explained.
This was even as he claimed the NLC wrote to intimate all the security agencies about the protest before the fateful day.
“I can’t explain the beating I received. They tied my hands and dragged me on the floor like a common criminal. I am not even a card-carrying member of any political party as alleged,” he stated.
Consequently, the labour issued the federal government an ultimatum to meet its demands, including arresting those behind the attack on Ajaero, threatening to begin nationwide strike if the demands were not met.
The Nigerian government had gone to court to restrain labour from embarking on the strike but the industrial action commenced on Monday, paralysing activities across the country.
In a statement signed by the Head of Strategic Communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari U Mijinyawa, on Wednesday, Ribadu urged the movement to rescind its decisions on the ongoing strike , adding that attackers of Ajaero have been arrested and investigations had commenced.
Ribadu said the federal government regrets the incident that happened in Imo and condemns it in its entirety, noting that it was against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Tinubu and his administration.
The statement read, “The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is concerned by the declaration of a nationwide strike by the leadership of the Organised Labour led by the NLC and TUC.
“The NSA is particularly worried about the implications of the strike action on the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians and its potential impact on economic security and other strategic national interests.
“As attested by the NLC leadership, the NSA immediately intervened on learning about the travails of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joseph Ajero who was assaulted in Owerri, Imo State.
“The NSA regrets the incident and condemns it in its entirety as it was against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.
“The Federal Government will never condone such an act.
“As a fallout of the incident relevant authorities were directed to conduct thorough investigation into the circumstances sorrounding the assault and bring to book the culprits. Available update indicates that some arrests have already been made in this regard. The outcome of the investigation will be made public as soon as it is concluded.
“The Federal Government, through the Office of the NSA, therefore, appeals to the labour leadership to call off the current strike action and allow the dialogue process underway to be exhausted.”
