The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced a nationwide protest on December 17 to highlight Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and urge urgent action from government and stakeholders.
NLC President Joe Ajaero made the remarks on Saturday in Gombe, after meeting with Governor Inuwa Yahaya to discuss labour-related issues.
Ajaero said the protest will demand decisive government action against insecurity, which he described as affecting all Nigerians, regardless of status or occupation.
“Banditry and violent crimes are alien to our culture and must be collectively condemned to reverse this dangerous national narrative,” he said.
He also warned that insecurity is undermining the economy and discouraging both local and foreign investment.
“Our planned protest aims to draw attention to the impact of insecurity on investors and workers, who are kidnapped daily and sometimes killed,” Ajaero said.
Citing a recent incident in Kebbi, he added, “The person killed was a teacher, while the kidnapped children included the children of workers. We are asking the government to apprehend the perpetrators and put an end to this menace.”
The NLC president emphasized that the protest is intended to reassure authorities of public support in confronting insecurity.
“Government should know that their hands are being strengthened to do the needful because Nigerians are saying this is wrong and must stop,” he said.
Ajaero urged collective action, noting that kidnapping for ransom erodes national values and social cohesion. He highlighted the economic strain on workers, saying kidnapped individuals often lack ransom money and must resort to borrowing or begging.
“It is important for workers to join the call to end insecurity, unless the government wants to give us security allowance to pay ransom. We don’t have guns or cutlasses to chase criminals; protest is our only voice to Nigerians and the international community,” he said.
He also called on the government to expand social safety nets, stressing that the minimum wage alone cannot alleviate hardship without additional supportive measures.
NAN
