Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has announced that credible information is emerging regarding the perpetrators of the murder of five soldiers in Aba on May 30.

During a visit to the 144 Battalion in Osisioma, Abayi, near Aba, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to apprehending those responsible for the heinous crime.

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Expressing sympathy and support for the soldiers, Governor Otti emphasized that the state government will ensure the culprits are brought to justice.

He urged the Army to avoid undue punishment of innocent suspects detained after the incident.

“We have started getting very credible information. This intelligence gathering will continue, but I do not want it to dampen your morale. We have all been working together to secure this state in the last one year that I have been the governor, and I want to encourage you to continue your work, don’t get distracted,” Otti said.

He pointed to “enemies of progress” as potential culprits and stressed the importance of not letting them derail the state’s development.

Governor Otti announced a scholarship program for the children of the fallen soldiers, assuring that the state will support their education through university.

He also promised ongoing assistance for the widows of the deceased soldiers.

“I have in the last few days also visited the widows of the five gallant officers that were brutally murdered. As a state, we have committed to absorbing them as part of this state. All their children are now on scholarship and they will remain on scholarship until they graduate from the university. We will also keep supporting the widows to ensure that they do not lack anything,” Otti declared.

The governor reiterated his appeal to the Army to conduct their investigation with care, acknowledging that some of those arrested might be innocent.

He emphasized the need to respect the rights of civilians during the investigation process.

“I’m also aware that some people have been picked up before now, but when I spoke with the GOC this morning, he told me that virtually everyone that was picked up has been released except for about nine or ten people who are still being investigated,” Otti noted.

He urged for thorough investigations that respect the rights of innocent citizens, cautioning against punishing those not involved in the crime.

Governor Otti praised the efforts of the troops in reducing criminal activities in the state over the past year, assuring them of continued support from the state government.

He announced a N25 million bounty for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the soldiers’ murder.

“In the last one year, criminal activities have gone down drastically, and it is attributable to you. Continue to be alert and don’t let your spirits go down. At the end of the day, we will get the criminals,”

The Presidency has refuted claims that Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, along with the Federal Government’s negotiating team, proposed a new minimum wage of N105,000.

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Following the declaration of a nationwide strike by organized labor, the Federal Government entered negotiations with union leaders, reaching an initial agreement. President Bola Tinubu subsequently instructed Finance Minister Edun to develop a new minimum wage template within 48 hours.

On Thursday, Edun and his team met with President Tinubu. However, no details of the meeting’s outcome were disclosed. Reports soon surfaced suggesting that Edun’s team had proposed a minimum wage of N105,000.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Strategy, swiftly denied these claims, stating on social media that “The Honorable Minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun, has not proposed N105,000 minimum wage. The contrary story being disseminated is false.”

On Thursday, Finance Minister Wale Edun submitted the proposed cost implications of a new national minimum wage to President Bola Tinubu. Edun’s proposal suggests a minimum wage of N105,000.

Earlier in the week, President Tinubu had directed Edun to prepare a new wage template within two days.

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However, as of Thursday morning, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) reported no updates on the new minimum wage offer, emphasizing their demand for a living wage via their official X (formerly Twitter) account.

The NLC had set a one-week ultimatum, criticizing the lack of progress and urging the government to take prompt action.

The organized labor group is advocating for a minimum wage of N494,000, significantly higher than the government’s initial offer of N60,000.

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Despite these tensions, Finance Minister Edun, along with Minister of Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu, presented the cost implementation details of the proposed minimum wage to President Tinubu at the presidential villa in Abuja.

Edun reassured the public, stating, “There is no cause for alarm.”

Trade Union Congress President Comrade Festus Osifo confirmed that no new developments or offers had been made by the government.

He emphasized that discussions so far had focused on principles rather than concrete proposals.

Osifo expressed hope that a definitive offer would be presented soon, indicating the labor union’s readiness to resume discussions the following day.

The Federal Government has proposed a minimum wage exceeding N60,000, urging organized labor to consider the offer.

While the exact amount was not specified, the announcement was made following a meeting between government officials and representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) late Monday.

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The government representatives who signed the statement were Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, and Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment.

For the organized labor, the signatories included Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, and Festus Osifo, President of the TUC.

The statement released after the meeting read:

“Following the negotiations by the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and the subsequent withdrawal of labor from the negotiation process, the leadership of the National Assembly intervened on June 2, 2024. In response, the organized labor declared a nationwide strike on June 3, 2024, to press their demands.

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“In the interest of the nation, the Federal Government convened a meeting with labor representatives at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on June 3, with the aim of ending the strike.

“After extensive deliberations, the following resolutions were reached:

1. The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is committed to a national minimum wage higher than N60,000.
2. The Tripartite Committee will meet daily for the next week to finalize an agreeable national minimum wage.
3. In recognition of the President’s commitment, labor leaders will immediately convene a meeting with their members to consider this proposal.
4. No worker will face retaliation as a result of participating in the industrial action.

“This resolution was reached in Abuja on June 3, 2024.”

The meeting marked a significant step toward resolving the ongoing nationwide strike, which was initiated by the NLC and TUC to demand better wages and working conditions for Nigerian workers.

The proposed increase in the minimum wage aims to address the rising cost of living and improve the welfare of the workforce.

As the Tripartite Committee begins its daily meetings to finalize the new minimum wage, labor leaders are set to consult with their members to gauge their response to the government’s offer. The outcome of these consultations will likely influence the next steps in the negotiation process and the potential resolution of the strike.

Both the government and labor unions have expressed a commitment to reaching a mutually beneficial agreement that addresses the needs of workers while considering the economic realities of the nation.

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has clarified the presence of soldiers at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), where a meeting between organized labour and the federal government is taking place.

SGF George Akume had urgently called for the meeting to address the ongoing nationwide strike, ahead of a scheduled session with the Federal Government’s National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission.

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During the meeting, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) raised concerns about the presence of military personnel at the venue, suggesting a potential intimidation tactic.

In response, the Defence Headquarters issued a statement explaining that the soldiers were accompanying the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who was also in attendance.

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

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

“Please disregard the deliberate and misleading falsehood being circulated about the presence of the escorts at the meeting,” the Defence Headquarters clarified on their official Facebook page.