Defence HQ explains presence of soldiers in and around the premises of SGF’s office during FG’s meeting with Organised Labour

The Nigerian Defence headquarters has explained the presence of soldiers in and around the premises of the office of the Secretary to the Government, SGF, of the Federation – venue of the meeting between organised labour and the federal government.

SGF George Akume had called for an urgent meeting with the organised labour to address issues in the ongoing nationwide strike ahead of Tuesday’s meeting called by the Federal Government’s National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, had shortly after the meeting commenced, sounded the alarm that military men had surrounded the venue of the meeting.

In response, however, the defence headquarters said that the soldiers at the venue of the meeting between NLC and the SGF, accompanied the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who was also attending the meeting.

“The attention of Army Headquarters has been drawn to a false breaking news by NLC alleging that soldiers currently surround the venue of the ongoing meeting between NLC and the SGF.

“Kindly note that the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who is also attending the meeting, arrived at the meeting venue with his retinue of statutorily approved military escorts. Once the meeting is over, the escorts will lead the NSA from the venue.

“Kindly disregard the deliberate and misleading falsehood being peddled about the presence of the escorts at the meeting,” the statement on Facebook read.