Published 15th Nov, 2023

By Daniel Ojukwu

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has apologised to the organised labour over the November 1 attack on Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in Owerri, Imo State capital.

Ajaero and the congress were in Owerri to protest over the quality of life of Imo workers, but the police arrested him. He later claimed the police handed him over to thugs who beat him.

What followed was a nationwide strike action which began on Tuesday. The organised labour, comprising NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other sister organisations, complied with the action and said it would be indefinite until their demands were met.

However, in a statement issued on Wednesday by Zakari U. Mijinyawa, Head of Strategic Communications, Office of the National Security Adviser, the NSA called for the unions to end the strike action as Ajaero’s attackers had been arrested and investigations had commenced.

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.”

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