The National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu has stated that the Federal government will never condone an assault on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero by thugs in Owerri, Imo State.
The NSA reacted on Wednesday after an interview with the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo with the Breakfast Show on Channels TV, where he called on the NSA to lead an investigation into the assault as it has no confidence on the probe by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
“The office of the NSA should lead this investigation; it should not even be the Inspector General of Police because, in this particular subject, we also feel that the IGP is compromised,” Osifo said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program early Wednesday.
In the statement signed by the Head of Strategic Communication in the NSA Office, Zakari Mijinyawa, Ribadu condemned the assault and stated that it was not in line with the ‘principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.’
The statement reads, “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 Ajero who was assaulted in Owerri, Imo State.
“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.
“As a fallout of the incident relevant authorities were directed to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault and bring to book the culprits. An 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.”
