NSA arrests attackers of Ajaero, as Labour lists six conditions to halt nationwide strike

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has declared that it has arrested attackers of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

Zakari Mijinyawa, Head of Strategic Communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser made this known yesterday in a press statement.

Recall that AJaero was brutalised in Imo State with other labour leaders who were rough handled by armed thugs and security operatives allegedly mobilised by the State Government in attempt to stage a protest against alleged ill treatment of workers in the State leaving Ajaero in a critical condition battling to save his right eye.

Consequently, the NLC and its Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterparts declared an immediate and total strike in Imo State and also embarked on a nationwide strike on November 14, 2023.

However, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu has consoled the Labour over the incident pledging to bring the perpetrators to book.

“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 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 ONSA statement read.

In line with the series of dialogue the Federal Government is holding with the Labour, Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong Bako, has described the meeting held with the Labour yesterday as fruitful noting that the labour leaders agreed to report back to their constituencies and revert.

Both Lalong and the Minister of State for Labour, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyeajeocha, met with the striking unions in the NSA office.

He explained that after robust discussions, the labour leaders have agreed to report back to their constituencies and revert.

He said, “The meeting was in respect to what happened especially in Imo State and this meeting has heavy security considerations that is why we took the meeting at the office of the National Security Adviser.

“All the labour leaders were also here with us. We had a very fruitful discussion. They have also agreed to take it back home to their constituencies so that they can suspend the strike.”

Also speaking, TUC President Comrade Festus Osifo said the Federal Government made several appeals and promises which may lead to the suspension of the strike.

He said, “We had a robust conversation where a lot of assurances were given in furtherance to the release that was made by the NSA this morning that some people have been apprehending.

“They made several appeals and promises to us so we said let’s go back and reappraise all the conversations we have had and we will communicate accordingly.”

Meanwhile, members of the Nigerian Senate have appealed to the labour to call off its ongoing industrial action.

The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi) during Wednesday’s plenary.

Ningi’s motion, which was presented by Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, the lawmaker condemned the attack on Ajaero, describing it as “unfortunate.”

He said the NLC president had the constitutional rights, as a Nigerian, and Imo citizen, to be involved in the electioneering in the state, and that it was wrong to brutalise him for participating in the process.

Bamidele said, “The Senate is aware that the strike which has commenced since 14th of November 2023 is not unconnected with the alleged assault on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress during the electioneering campaign that took place in Imo State.

“The Senate worries that most of the demands of the NLC are not targeted towards just the welfare of the Nigerian workers but essentially targeted most essentially at issues arising from the alleged political involvement of the President of the NLC, who also is an indigene and also have a right to a part of the campaign process in Imo State.”

The lawmaker further said, it was found that, as a matter of fact, there was indeed assault on the President of the NLC freely participating in the political campaign process of Imo as a citizen of the state.

He expressed worry that if the strike was allowed to continue, Nigerians would be the worst for it and it could lead to a total collapse of the economy.

…Labour Demands

NLC, in a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, listed the conditions to include the arrest and prosecution of Chinasa Nwaneri, a Special Adviser to the Imo governor on special duties who allegedly led the attack on the NLC president and other workers in the state.

It also said all police officers as well as thugs involved in the attack on the labour leader should be arrested, prosecuted and dismissed.

Other demands include the arrest, prosecution and dismissal of the Chief Security Officer in Imo State Government House, simply identified as SP Shaba.

“He led, participated and provided cover for thugs to brutalise workers in Imo State,” the NLC alleged.

The labour union also demanded the arrest, prosecution, and dismissal of an unnamed police area commander who, it claimed, oversaw the brutalisation of the NLC president and other workers in the state.

The final condition is that Ahmed Barde, the former Commissioner of Police in Imo State, be investigated and prosecuted for his alleged involvement in the assault on the NLC chief.

“Our demands are simple. We want justice,” the union demanded.