Striking workers in Ogun have accused Governor Ibikunle Amosun of sending thugs after them, The Punch reports.

Labour leaders in the state said the thugs who came with covered number plates attacked them at the secretariat of the state Nigeria Labour Congress around 8am on Thursday.

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, expressed shock at the development.

He said, “This is the first time in the history of this state that workers will be attacked by the agents of the state. We have heard that some people have hired some thugs to attack us. But we thought it was all a rumour. But we were shocked this morning when some thugs came in a black Toyota Camry with number plate LND 555 BD to the place where the labour leaders were standing at Kuto roundabout.

“They attacked our members at Kuto, Oke Ilewo and Laderin Housing Estate.

“They beat up two labour leaders, Comrade Benco and Comrade Olayemi, among others.

“The NLC office has been sealed off by 30 armed men, but I have gathered that two cultists have been trailing me.

“My life is not safe and I have gone underground. My life is not safe with this government.”