Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), revealed on Wednesday that arrests have been made in connection with the assault on Joe Ajaero, the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), by suspected political thugs.
This incident occurred on November 1 in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, during a protest staged by workers over unpaid salaries.
In response to the attack, both the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) declared a nationwide strike, calling for the apprehension of the alleged attackers and their sponsors.
As the strike commenced, impacting economic activities in various parts of the country, Ribadu, through a statement signed by Zakari U Mijinyawa, the Head of Strategic Communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser, appealed to organized labor to suspend the ongoing nationwide strike.
Ribadu confirmed the arrests related to the assault on the NLC president, assuring the public that the investigation’s findings would be disclosed.
In part, the statement reads, “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.”
Expressing regret over the incident, the NSA condemned it as a violation of the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.
Assuring that the Federal Government would not tolerate such actions, the statement emphasized a directive for a thorough investigation into the assault, with updates indicating that arrests had already been made. The NSA pledged to make the investigation’s outcome public once concluded.