The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, issued an apology to organised labour for the attack on Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1.
Ajaero, leading a protest in Owerri, was subjected to severe beatings and detention.
In response to the incident, labour issued an ultimatum to the government, demanding the arrest of those responsible for the attack on Ajaero. The ultimatum included the threat of a nationwide strike if the government failed to meet their demands.
Despite the government’s attempt to obtain a court order restraining the strike, the nationwide strike commenced on Monday, disrupting activities across the nation.
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 labour movement to reconsider its decision on the ongoing strike.
Ribadu assured that the attackers of Ajaero had been apprehended and that investigations were underway.
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“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 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 surrounding 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,” The statement read. #Ribadu