The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a forceful alarm over the dramatic collapse of public safety across the country, announcing plans for a nationwide mobilization of workers that could include mass protests and a national day of mourning. The union warned that it will no longer fold its arms while criminal gangs terrorise citizens, abduct schoolchildren, and murder workers.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos on Thursday, NLC President Joe Ajaero declared that the nation is “under siege” by criminal elements.
Ajaero focused particular attention on the recent surge in school kidnappings, condemning the incidents and specifically questioning the integrity of the security apparatus following reports of a troop withdrawal before a recent abduction.
The Congress expressed suspicion that the development suggests a possible compromise within the security architecture and demanded a comprehensive, full-scale investigation to identify those responsible for what it called operational negligence.
“You can see the state of the nation, especially the growing insecurity. The NLC cannot stand idly by and allow criminals to take over our country—never again,” Ajaero declared to the NEC delegates.
He outlined the union’s intention to push for accountability, even if it requires a national shutdown.
“Consequently, at the end of this NEC meeting, the NLC will take a strong stance. We want to understand what is happening and why security personnel assigned to guard a school were withdrawn, creating an opening for kidnappers to abduct students,” he stated.