The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has disclosed that those responsible for the attack on the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, Imo State capital, on November 1, have been arrested, and investigations have commenced.

Consequently, the labour gave the government an ultimatum to meet some demands, including arresting those behind the attack and threatening to begin a nationwide strike if the demands were unmet.

The Federal Government had gone to court to restrain labour, but the strike commenced on Monday, paralysing national activities.

In a statement signed by the Head of Strategic Communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari U Mijinyawa, on Wednesday, Ribadu apologised to the organised labour over the attack and urged the movement to rescind its decisions on the ongoing strike.

Ribadu said the federal government regrets the incident in Imo and condemns it, noting that it was against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Bola Tinubu and his administration.

He noted that the strike calls for concern over its implication on the livelihood of Nigerians and its potential impact on economic security and other strategic national interests.

The statement read, “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. 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.