The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Wednesday urged the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Unions Congress to call off their two-day-old strike.

In a statement issued in Abuja by Mr Zakari Mijinyawa, Head, Strategic Communication, Office of the National Security Adviser, Ribadu also condemned the attack on the NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero in Owerri, Imo State on November 1.

He said ONSA was concerned about the strike and worried about its implications on the livelihoods of Nigerians and its potential impact on economic, security and other strategic national interests.

Mr Ribadu noted that he immediately intervened on learning about Ajaero’s travails in Owerri as attested to by the NLC leadership.

“ONSA regrets the incident and condemns it entirely as it is against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Bola Tinubu and his administration. The Federal Government will never condone such act.

“Fallout of the incident was the directive given to relevant authorities to conduct thorough investigation and to bring culprits to book. Available updates indicate that some arrests have been made in this regard and the outcome of the investigation will be made public as soon as it is concluded.

“The Federal Government, through ONSA, therefore appeals to the labour leadership to call off the strike and allow dialogue already in progress to be exhausted,’’ Mr Ribadu said in the statement.

(NAN)