Two weeks aftee, the Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, Wednesday apologised to the organised labour over the attack on President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, Imo State capital, on November 1.

Ajaero, who stormed Owerri to lead a protest against Imo State Government was severely beaten, allegedly by police officers and thugs, and detained for hours.

The government has however revealed that some of the attackers have been arrested and investigation ongoing on the incident.

Consequently, the labour gave government an ultimatum to meet some demands, including arresting those behind the attack on Ajaero, and their prosecution, threatening to begin nationwide strike if the demands were not met.

Part of the demands of the Labour wqs the arrest and prosecution of a Special Adviser to Imo State government on Special Duties, Chinese Nwaneri, who was alleged to have led the gang which attacked Ajaero and other workers.

The Labour also demanded the arrest, prosecution and dismissal of all police officers involved in the attack of the NLC President.

The Unions also demanded the arrest and prosecution of the Chief Security Officer to the Imo State government, SP Shaba, for allegedly leading and participating in the attack.

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

In a statement signed by the Head of Strategic Communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari U Mijinyawa, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu urged the movement to rescind its decisions on the ongoing strike, adding that attackers of Ajaero have been arrested and investigations had commenced.

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

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 Ajaero 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 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.”