‘We have apprehended those who assaulted Ajaero’, NSA appeals to Labour

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has expressed his regret and apology to the organised labour for the assault on the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1.

Ajaero was leading a protest in Owerri when he was attacked and detained for hours.

The labour movement issued an ultimatum to the government to meet some demands, including bringing the attackers of Ajaero to justice, or face a nationwide strike.

The Federal Government tried to stop the strike through the court, but the strike began on Monday, disrupting activities across the country.

In a statement by the Head of Strategic Communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari U Mijinyawa, on Wednesday, Ribadu appealed to the labour movement to suspend the strike and continue the dialogue process with the government. He also said that the culprits of the attack on Ajaero have been arrested and investigations are ongoing.

Ribadu said the federal government condemns the incident that occurred in Imo and regrets it deeply, noting that it violated the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression that President Tinubu and his administration uphold.

The statement read, “The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is disturbed by the declaration of a nationwide strike by the leadership of organised labour led by the NLC and TUC.

“The NSA is especially concerned about the effects of the strike action on the welfare of ordinary Nigerians and its potential impact on economic security and other strategic national interests.

“As confirmed by the NLC leadership, the NSA intervened promptly on hearing about the ordeal 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 completely, as it was against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration uphold.

“The Federal Government will never tolerate such an act.

“As a result of the incident, relevant authorities were instructed to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault and prosecute the perpetrators. The 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 urges the labour leadership to call off the current strike action and allow the dialogue process underway to be exhausted.