The Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperative has invited the management of Chi Limited to explain the circumstances surrounding the killing of two of its workers by policemen.

It was learnt that the ministry, in a letter to the company on Wednesday, asked the management to “unfailingly” appear before it on Thursday.

The PUNCH had exclusively reported that some policemen on Saturdayopened fire on protesting casual workers of the company during which 19-year-old Daniel Osikoya and another worker were killed.

However, the Lagos State Police Command, in its reaction,  said the workers had thrown caustic soda at the policemen, inflicting injuries on an inspector.

The casual workers had protested against what they termed discrimination between them and regular workers, saying the management only catered to the welfare of the regular employees.

They said the company did not give them New Year packages, which were allegedly given to full-time workers, adding that they decided to take away a carton of the company’s products each as end of the year gifts.

They were about to move the cartons out of the factory gate when the policemen confronted them.

A source at the ministry told The PUNCH on Wednesday that representatives of the company would appear at the ministry’s office in Alausa Ikeja, to explain the role of the firm in the incident.

“The commerce and industry ministry has invited the management of Chi Limited to explain what led to the killing of the workers. The Lagos State Government will see that justice is done in the case,” the source said.

The Head of Public Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperative, Sola Ogunmosunle, confirmed the invitation, saying investigations were on.

Indian companies ehn?