President Bola Tinubu says the killing of soldiers in Abia by gunmen is a treasonable offence that must be punished.

In a statement on Saturday, Tinubu directed the security agencies to fish out the killers of the soldiers and those asking residents to sit at home.

The president described the killings as “unwarranted barbaric and evil acts”.

At least five soldiers were said to have been killed on Thursday by gunmen who were reportedly enforcing the sit-at-home directive of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the state.

The gunmen opened fire on a military checkpoint at Obikabia junction in Aba, killing the soldiers and setting their patrol vehicles ablaze.

The soldiers were on peacekeeping duty in Aba.

“Our soldiers and the police have the onerous duty to protect all of us from aggressors and non-state actors. Hundreds of them have paid the ultimate price in fulfilment of their duty, while some have experienced the indignity of being manhandled by the people they protect,” the statement reads.

“They surely do not deserve the mindless attacks by unruly elements in our society.”

Tinubu assured that justice will be served, warning perpetrators not to be under any illusion that the government will not act appropriately when the lives of state agents are taken.

“The Federal Government will come down heavily against those who have made it a habit to needlessly attack the officers and men of our armed forces,” the president said.

“On no account should anyone, under any guise, have the audacity to kill agents of state.

“I want to make it clear that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the armed forces have the capacity to crush violent non-state actors, making our communities unsafe.

“I urge security agencies not only to fish out the masterminds and perpetrators of the Aba attack but also those calling on people to stay at home. Their action is nothing but a treasonable offence.

“The fact that the security forces are exercising necessary restraints should not be mistaken for weakness.”

Tinubu sympathised with the families of the slain soldiers and the entire armed forces.

The president urged officers on peacekeeping duty not to be discouraged by the unfortunate incident in Aba.

In March, some personnel of the Nigerian army — comprising a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers — were killed by youths while on a peace mission at Okuoma community in Delta state.

Tinubu vowed that those who were responsible for the killing of the personnel would not go unpunished.

The Federal Government says the N494,000 minimum wage proposed by organised labour is “unsustainable”.

In a statement on Saturday, Mohammed Idris, minister of information, said the demand by organised labour amounts to a N9.5 trillion bill for the Federal Government annually.

The minister added that the proposal of organised labour would increase the existing workers’ wage bill by 1,547 percent.

BACKGROUND

In 2019, former President Muhammadu Buhari approved N30,000 as the national minimum wage for workers.

Recently, the federal and state governments, organised labour, and the private sector commenced discussion over the new minimum wage.

Initially, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had proposed N615,500 as the minimum wage, citing the high cost of living.

However, the Federal Government rejected the N615,500 proposal and offered N48,000.

On May 15, the NLC and TUC rejected the N48,000 minimum wage offered by the government.

On May 21, the Federal Government increased the proposed minimum wage to N54,000, which the labour again rejected and described as “unacceptable”.

Again, the Federal Government proposed N60,000, and it was rejected.

On Friday, NLC and TUC declared an indefinite strike over the Federal Government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage from N60,000.

The planned strike is expected to kick off on June 3.

‘FG CONCERNED ABOUT 200M NIGERIANS’

The minister said organised labour is fighting for the interest of 1.2 million workers, while the Federal Government is concerned about 200 million Nigerians.

“The Federal Government’s new minimum wage proposal amounts to a 100% increase on the existing minimum wage,” the minister said.

“Labour, however, wanted N494,000, which would increase by 1,547% on the existing wage.

“The sum of N494,000 national minimum wage which labour is seeking would cumulatively amount to the sum N9.5 trillion bill to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Nigerians need to understand that whereas the Federal Government is desirous of ample remuneration for Nigerian workers, what is most critical is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not encourage any action that could lead to massive job loss, especially in the private sector, who may not be able to pay the wage demanded by the organised labour.”

The Branch Controller (Ekiti), West Africa Examinations Council, Mrs T.A.Y. Lawson, has said that the nationwide strike scheduled to begin on Monday will not disrupt examinations in the state – and nationwide alike.

She alerted Principals and school heads in Ekiti State in a letter titled, “Notice of Commencement of Indefinite Strike by NLC and TUC” with reference number EK/BC/SC/EXAM/07/Vol.1/89 late Friday.

Recall that the Nigeria timetable for the examination began Tuesday, April 30 and will end Thursday, June 20, 2024.

The letter read, “The attention of Management has been drawn to a notice of the Commencement of Indefinite Strike by NLC and TUC effective, Monday, 3rd June 2024.

“Please be formally informed that the conduct of WASSCE SC 2024 goes on as scheduled.”

She noted that the examination body shares the burden of the unions.

This is as she said that students shouldn’t be at the receiving end by missing the ongoing examination in Nigeria and some West African states.

“In as much as we share the concerns of the unions and the generality of Nigerians, the WASSCE SC is going on across the member Countries of WAEC and the Nigerian Child should not be put to a disadvantage of missing the exam.

“For the aforesaid reason, WAEC will conduct the exam and School Principals, supervisors, parents and the general public should please take note and make adequate arrangements for their candidates to sit the exam.

“Kindly be guided accordingly,” it concluded.

The organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, had announced the commencement of the strike on Friday due to a breakdown of negotiation on the proposed new minimum wage.