By Matthew Abi
#TrackNigeria: Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday at the residence of Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige attacked by hoodlums with various weapons.
The members were at Ngige’s residence to protest the delayed inauguration of the board of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), to be chaired by Chief Frank Kokori after its appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari since 2017.
However, on arrival at the residence of the minister, the hoodlums in large number chased and attacked the Union members with different kinds of weapons including planks, stones and knives, which resulted to injuries from knives cuts on many, including a journalist.
Addressing journalists thereafter, NLC president, Ayuba Wabba expressed dismay over the attack on their members.
“If the Federal Minister under the dispensation that understands the rudiments under the rule of law, will then take laws into his hands because picketing is allowed in the labour law.
“We are not going to relent until needful is done and chief Kokori is rightfully inaugurated and made chairman of the board of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF),” he said.
One of the injured member of the Union, who simply identified himself as Chima asked our correspondent what would they tell my family if Ngige had killed me?
“Where is the fate of NLC when Ngige’s hired private thugs chased and injured the union members? What would they have told my family if I had died? We simply want the right thing to be done and this is what happened to us,” he asked.
Chima wondered what it would take the minister to obey Mr President’s instruction and inaugurate the board.
