Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), has expressed regret to organized labour for the November 1 attack on Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in the Imo State capital of Owerri.
The attackers of Ajaero have been taken into custody, said Ribadu.
In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by Zakari U. Mijinyawa, the Head of Strategic Communications at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Ribadu urged the labor movement to reverse its decision regarding the ongoing strike. He also mentioned that Ajaero’s attackers had been apprehended and that investigations had begun.
“The declaration of a nationwide strike by the leadership of Organized Labour led by the NLC and TUC concerns the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA),” the statement stated.
The NSA is especially concerned about how the strike action may affect the standard of living for common Nigerians, as well as possible effects on national security and other critical areas.
The NLC leadership attests that as soon as the NSA learned of the difficulties faced by Comrade Joseph Ajero, the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), following his assault in Owerri, Imo State, the NSA stepped in to help.
“The National Security Agency (NSA) expresses regret for the incident and denounces it completely, as it violated the legal system and the principles of free speech and association that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration uphold.”
“The Federal Government will never support an action of such nature.
Following the occurrence, pertinent authorities were instructed to look into the details of the assault in great detail and to apprehend those responsible. According to the most recent information available, some arrests have already been made in this regard. As soon as the inquiry is over, the results will be made available to the public.
“Therefore, the labour leadership is urged by the Federal Government, through the Office of the NSA, to halt the ongoing strike action and give the ongoing dialogue process enough time to be completed.”
After traveling to Owerri to spearhead a protest, Ajaero was badly assaulted and held for a number of hours. As a result, organized labour issued a demand on the government that included the arrest of those in charge of the attack on Ajaero. If the requests were not fulfilled, it threatened to go on a national strike. On Tuesday, the labor unions nationwide went on strike together.
