Nuhu Ribadu: Perpetrators Of Ajaero Attack Arrested

Abuja, Nigeria– The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has confirmed the arrest of suspects linked to the attack on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, in Owerri on November 1, 2023.

Ajaero, who was participating in a protest against unpaid salaries alongside state civil servants, faced the assault during the demonstration.

Following the incident, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) jointly declared a nationwide strike on Tuesday, November 14, demanding the apprehension of the alleged assailants and their backers.

In a statement signed by the Head of Strategic Communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari U Mijinyawa, Ribadu urged the organized labour to call off the ongoing nationwide strike. He confirmed that some arrearrests have been made regarding the brutalization of the NLC president, pledging that the outcome of the investigation would be made known to the general public.

“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. 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.”