The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced a nationwide protest scheduled for December 17, aimed at drawing urgent attention to the escalating insecurity across the country and pressuring stakeholders to take immediate action.
Speaking to journalists in Gombe on Saturday after a meeting with Governor Inuwa Yahaya on labour-related matters, NLC President Joe Ajaero emphasised that the planned demonstration is intended to compel decisive government intervention against the growing wave of violence.
“Insecurity now affects every Nigerian, irrespective of status or occupation.
”Banditry and violent crimes are alien to our culture and must be collectively condemned to reverse this dangerous national narrative,” Ajaero said.
The NLC leader warned that the deteriorating security situation was not only a threat to public safety but is also damaging the economy and undermining Nigeria’s ability to attract both local and foreign investors.
“Our planned protest is to highlight the impact of insecurity on investors and workers, who are kidnapped daily and, in some cases, killed.
”Citing a recent incident in Kebbi. “In that case, the victim was a teacher, while several children kidnapped included the children of workers.
”We are calling on the government to apprehend the perpetrators and put an end to this menace, ” he said.
Ajaero stressed that the protest is also designed to demonstrate public support for authorities tackling insecurity.
“Government should know their hands are being strengthened because Nigerians are collectively saying this is wrong and must stop,” he added.
Highlighting the broader social implications, the NLC president warned that kidnapping for ransom erodes national values and social cohesion, with workers often suffering the most.
Many victims, lacking ransom money, are forced to borrow or beg to survive.
“It is crucial for workers to join the call to end insecurity.
”Unless the government intends to provide security allowances to pay ransom, our only recourse is protest.
”We do not have the guns or weapons to chase criminals; this is the voice we are sending to Nigerians and the international community,” Ajaero stated.
He also called for the expansion of social safety nets, noting that the current minimum wage alone is insufficient to ease economic hardship without complementary support measures.
