Concerned about the rising spate of insecurity across the country, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has staged a protest in some parts of the country to call the attention of the Federal Government to the challenges Nigerians are facing. The protest, which was held on Wednesday and took place in the capitals of some states
Concerned about the rising spate of insecurity across the country, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has staged a protest in some parts of the country to call the attention of the Federal Government to the challenges Nigerians are facing.
The protest, which was held on Wednesday and took place in the capitals of some states in the country, including Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Bauchi, Anambra, and others, was a reaction of the workers and activists and some civil society organisations who decried what they described as government inaction in the face of escalating kidnappings, banditry and violent crimes.
Across the states, protesters were seen chanting similar solidarity songs that called for an end to insecurity challenges and a lack of safety for lives and properties in some parts of the country. Apart from the solidarity songs, the protesters were seen carrying placards bearing different messages such as “No Safety, No Security, No Peace, No Development, End Insecurity Now,” “Nigeria is bleeding,” “End Banditry, End Terrorism Now,” “No Security, No Peace, No Development,” and “Federal Government, No more Excuses, No More Rhetoric, End Insecurity Now”, among other inscriptions.
Nigeria has been experiencing significant challenges of insecurity marked by kidnappings, armed attacks and widespread fear among civilians. The surge in insecurity has raised concerns from various bodies and organisations, both internationally and locally. The development has also drawn the attention of the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump and the Congress of the same country.
The Nigerian Labour Congress, being unsettled with the situation in the country, also declared a protest against the deteriorating security situation across the country, condemning the rampant activities of bandits and kidnappers across the country. The Labour also singled out the November 17 abduction of female students from a boarding school in Kebbi state.
In an attempt to put an end to the union’s nationwide protest against the nation’s increasing insecurity, President Bola Tinubu met with the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) last night.
The meeting, which began around 11:27 p.m. at the State House in Abuja, was attended by Joe Ajaero, NLC president, Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo and chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Nasir Idris, governor of Kebbi, Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, and Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, minister of labour and employment.
Despite the meeting between President Bola Tinubu and labour leaders last night, the NLC proceeded with the protest, demanding an end to the insecurity challenges in the country.
In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the protesters marched from the NLC secretariat, under the watch of security agents from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Led by Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, who arrived at the Labour House at about 8:49 a.m., Benson Upah, NLC General Secretary and Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the Take-it-Back movement, who joined the protest at the invitation of the labour leadership, the protesters moved their final train of demonstration to the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Protesters marched from Ikeja, the state capital, to the Government House in Alausa in Lagos, calling for an end to the spate of kidnappings and other crimes across Nigeria and urging the state and federal governments to act quickly to improve the situation.
The protesters, led by the NLC’s Lagos chairperson, Comrade Funmi Sessi, leaders of the unions in the state, and the civil society organizations, and joined by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, demanded an end to the country’s insecurity.
Speaking at the protest Mr Falana said, “we are solidarising with our people who are aggrieved about the worsening insecurity in this country, and we are here to demonstrate our resolve to pressure the government to take of our security and welfare because it is stated in the bourgeois constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that the welfare and security of the people shall be the primary purpose of the government.”
Similarly, protesters from the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, marched peacefully from their office along the Port Harcourt-Aba Motorway. They voiced worries about ongoing security issues and how they affect Nigerians’ safety and means of subsistence.
In Niger State, the peaceful protest was led by the NLC State Chairman, Idrees Lafene, and other labour union leaders and members, who gathered at the Labour House on IBB Road in Minna, from which they marched through major streets of the state capital, drawing public attention to the country’s growing security challenges.
However, the protest did not take place in Edo state due to the ongoing annual Igue festival, which is being celebrated by the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, and has attracted a large number of visitors to Benin City.
