Ogun governor’s thugs attacked us, say striking workers

Abeokuta - Striking Ogun State workers on Thursday alleged that thugs suspected to be loyal to Governor Ibikunle Amosun beat up public servants and labour union leaders as workers started their indefinite strike over unremitted cooperative union deductions and unfriendly labour practices, Punch reports.
It was gathered that some labour leaders and union members who had gathered at the secretariat of the state Nigeria Labour Congress around 8am on Thursday were attacked by the thugs.

One of those beaten, who pleaded anonymity, said, “The thugs came in a Toyota Camry and some others came on motorcycles; they descended on union leaders and some of us who had gathered at the secretariat, beating us blue, black.





“The thugs covered the number plate of the car, in order to shield the identity of the owner from being traced. This is sad.” Another worker said, “They attacked our members at Laderin Estate, Kuto Roundabout and Oke Ilewo.”

The state NLC chairman, Akeem Ambali, who confirmed the attack on workers and labour leaders, said he had noticed some people trailing him since Monday after he addressed the press briefing where the strike was announced. Ambali said two of the labour leaders and some members were attacked by the thugs, who the workers alleged were Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s loyalists.

But the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the police did not seal off the NLC secretariat but rather security men were dispatched there to maintain law and order. In spite of the attack, the strike paralysed government activities, as workers stayed away from their duty posts.
their duty posts.

The Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, while briefing journalists in his office on Thursday, said he was not aware that there was a strike.

Source: News24