The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared its support for the nationwide strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), while calling for the immediate rescue and release of pupils, students and teachers abducted by kidnappers across the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC described the industrial action as a necessary response to the worsening insecurity confronting teachers and schoolchildren nationwide.
According to the labour centre, the strike reflects the determination of teachers to safeguard their lives amid rising attacks on educational institutions and personnel.
“The national and well-coordinated action represents the resolve of teachers to take their destiny in their hands instead of waiting to be slaughtered to the last person,” the statement read.
The NLC said the action should serve as a wake-up call to governments at all levels to address the growing security challenges facing Nigerians.
“The action equally represents a gentle but unignorable nudge on governments to take more seriously the growing insecurity industry,” it added.
The Congress commended the leadership of the NUT, led by Titus Audu Amba, for what it described as a courageous and timely decision aimed at drawing national attention to the safety of teachers and students.
It also expressed concern over the increasing vulnerability of workers, including local government employees, doctors, nurses and other healthcare personnel, who have become frequent targets of kidnappers and bandits.
Reacting to reports of the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, the NLC said it was deeply disturbed by the plight of the victims.
“We are heartbroken by the ugly pictures of our children, held and tortured by depraved bandits in the forests of Oyo State,” the statement said.
The labour union warned that insecurity had evolved into a national crisis requiring urgent and decisive action.
“As a nation, we cannot continue to fold our hands while this horror movie continues to play, from Zamfara to Oyo, from Maiduguri to Port Harcourt,” it stated.
The NLC further warned that it could mobilise solidarity actions in support of teachers and other workers if governments fail to demonstrate greater commitment to addressing insecurity.
“We will not hesitate to do a solidarity action with the teachers or any other group of workers if the government does not take more seriously the issues of our collective security,” the Congress said.
The labour centre recalled its previous efforts to draw attention to the country’s deteriorating security situation through protests, advocacy campaigns and security summits, including a nationwide protest in 2024.
It also referenced the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, noting that repeated incidents across Plateau, Kogi and other states underscore the scale of the security challenge.
“Since then, other major group abductions have taken place in Plateau, Kogi and other places, underscoring the fact that, for now, we are not winning this war. It is heartbreaking,” the statement added.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by security agencies, the NLC urged authorities to move beyond routine assurances and take concrete steps to protect lives and property.
“We recognise the tricky operational situation in Oyo. We nonetheless use this opportunity to once again call on governments at all levels to rise beyond the ritual of ‘we are on top of the situation’ and condolence messages to concrete and measurable action,” it said.
The Congress concluded by demanding the immediate rescue and release of all abducted victims.
“Free the abductees now, wherever they are held!”
