NSA: Ajaero’s Attackers Arrested, Probe of Assault Begins 

*Urges labour to call off strike

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said Wednesday that the attackers of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, have been arrested.

He said the federal government had launched an investigation into the assault of the labour leader by suspected security operatives in Owerri, capital of Imo State.

A statement issued by the  Office of the National Security Adviser said Ribadu called on the NLC to call off the strike in view of the far-reaching implications of the action on the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians.

“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 Ajaero, who was assaulted in Owerri, Imo State”, it said.

The statement signed by the Head, Strategic Communication  Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari Mijinyawa, said “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.”

It said “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” .