NLC Mobilises Workers, Civil Groups for Nationwide Protest Against Insecurity

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on workers, civil society organisations and concerned Nigerians to participate in a nationwide protest on Wednesday over the country’s worsening security situation.

The labour centre warned that rising insecurity is steadily eroding public confidence, deepening poverty and exposing workers and other vulnerable citizens to attacks while commuting, performing lawful duties or even within their homes.

The planned protest, scheduled for December 17, was one of the resolutions reached at the NLC National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Lagos on December 4.

According to the NLC, the demonstrations will be peaceful, with workers and civil society allies marching along designated routes across the country.

In a statement issued by the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, all affiliates and state councils of the Congress have been fully mobilised for what he described as a “nationwide protest rally against insecurity.”

“In Abuja, the convergence point for the rally will be Labour House, Central Business District, with participants expected to assemble from 7:30 a.m. before embarking on the peaceful procession,” Upah said.

The Congress stressed that the protest falls within its constitutional duty to protect the welfare, safety and dignity of Nigerian workers, noting that development, productivity and industrial harmony cannot exist in an atmosphere dominated by fear and violence.

The NLC urged the Federal Government to declare insecurity a national emergency and take decisive steps capable of restoring safety and public confidence nationwide.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the NEC meeting, labour leaders expressed grave concern over what they termed the “unchecked spread of violence, killings, kidnappings and criminality” across the country.

“The NEC notes with grave concern the persistent failure of the state to guarantee the safety of lives and property, a fundamental responsibility of government,” the communiqué stated, adding that insecurity continues to undermine livelihoods, disrupt economic activities and endanger workers and ordinary citizens despite repeated assurances by authorities.

Speaking at the meeting in Lagos, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the Congress could no longer remain silent in the face of growing insecurity.

“You can see the state of the nation, especially the growing insecurity,” Ajaero said. “The NLC cannot stand idly by and allow criminals to take over our country — never again. Consequently, at the end of this NEC meeting, the NLC will take a strong stance.”

He also questioned decisions by security authorities that allegedly exposed schools and communities to attacks.

“We want to understand what is happening and why security personnel assigned to guard a school were withdrawn, creating an opening for kidnappers to abduct students,” he said.

Ajaero added that the NLC would demand accountability. “We will insist — through nationwide protests if necessary — on knowing who gave that instruction. We want to know whether members of Nigeria’s security agencies, or their leadership, have been compromised.

“Never again shall we watch and allow kidnappers and bandits to overrun our country, demanding ransom and killing workers,” he declared.

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