FG arrests some persons behind attack on NLC president Ajaero – Ribadu

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has confirmed that some of the people who attacked the president of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, have been arrested.

Ribadu made this disclosure on Wednesday in a statement signed by the NSA spokesperson, Zakari U Mijinyawa where the former also pleaded with organised Labour to call off the ongoing nationwide strike.

“The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is concerned by the declaration of a nationwide strike by the leadership of the Organized Labour led by the NLC and TUC,” Mijinyawa said.

“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.”

Mijinyawa said that 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.

According to him, the Federal Government will never condone such an act.

Mijinyawa said that as a fallout of the incident, relevant authorities were directed to conduct thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault and bring to book the culprits.

The NSA spokesperson disclosed that available update indicates that some arrests have already been made in this regard.

Mijinyawa added that 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,” he said.