Ngige Speaks On Sending Thugs To Attack Labour Leaders

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has denied sending thugs to attack members of the Nigeria Labour Congress and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Labour Unions had on Wednesday morning picketed his residence over his refusal to inaugurate the board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

They were later attacked by hoodlums who left some of their members injured and requiring medical attention.

Reacting in a statement by his Special Assistant Media, Nwachukwu Obidiwe, the minister accused the leadership of the NLC of leading those he described as strange faces to invade his house.

The statement reads: “The private residence of the Hon. Minister of labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige was early this morning (4 a.m.) invaded by the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and his members.

“These members among whom are tanker drivers, some with ferocious looks also barricaded the gate to the residence of the Hon. Minister with two long trucks. They chanted war songs and prevented the Hon. Minister, his wife, children and other aides from either leaving or gaining access to the compound.

“Comrade Wabba later left and returned with re-enforcement.

“The presence of these strange faces and mounting war songs sent heavy panic on the family members, especially children and female aides who thought the sudden early morning assemblage were of the underworld.

“Some of these unknown faces and the two tanker lorries blocking the entrance to the house are still there as I send this press statement.

“I, therefore, wish to state that contrary to reports being mischievously circulated in the media by the NLC President, the Hon. Minister, family members who are still in great trauma and his staff members did not invite thugs, have no knowledge of it, or have a hand in the alleged manhandling of any worker.”