The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a strong warning that it may soon mobilise workers across the country for a major nationwide protest over Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
Speaking at the opening of the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the union can no longer sit back while criminal gangs continue to terrorise citizens. He declared that the country is effectively “under siege.”
Ajaero announced that the Congress would declare a national day of mourning, followed by mass protests, unless urgent steps are taken to address the insecurity.
Reacting to the recent abduction of schoolchildren, he questioned the sudden withdrawal of security operatives before the attack and demanded a thorough investigation to expose any foul play.
“The NLC cannot stand idly by and allow criminals to take over our country — never again,” Ajaero said.
“We want to know who ordered the withdrawal of security operatives from that school. We will not allow kidnappers and bandits to overrun our nation.”
He stressed that the safety of teachers, students, and workers is at stake and warned that Nigerians have reached a breaking point.
“It is getting out of hand. We can no longer bear this,” he added.
Ajaero also announced the withdrawal of Labour’s representatives from the Labour Party, accusing them of pursuing personal interests instead of representing workers.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, who also spoke at the meeting, described the situation as dire, warning that Nigeria is in “serious trouble” as kidnappings and attacks continue to escalate.
Falana cautioned against suggestions for foreign military intervention, arguing that such actions could undermine the country’s sovereignty. He also criticised recent comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump as unacceptable.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to act decisively:
“We want to let the world know that we are not a conquered people.”
Falana called on labour unions, civil society organisations, and citizens to be ready to resist any further deterioration in the nation’s security.