The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its full support behind the nationwide protest and strike action embarked upon by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), describing the move as a necessary response to the worsening wave of kidnappings and attacks targeting teachers, students and other vulnerable workers across the country.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the Congress stands in solidarity with teachers who have been forced to down tools over the recurring abduction of their members and school children in various parts of Nigeria.
According to Ajaero, the nationwide action by the NUT demonstrates the determination of teachers to protect themselves and their pupils rather than continue to expose themselves to life-threatening dangers.
“The national and well-coordinated action represents the resolve of teachers to take their destiny into their own hands instead of waiting to be slaughtered to the last person,” he stated.
The labour leader described the strike as a “gentle but unignorable nudge” to governments at all levels to confront the country’s growing security challenges with greater seriousness and urgency.
He commended the leadership of the NUT, led by Comrade Titus Audu Amba, for what he termed a thoughtful and coordinated response to the alarming insecurity confronting the education sector.
Ajaero noted that the NLC’s concern extends beyond teachers to other categories of workers frequently exposed to security threats, including local government employees, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who often fall victim to criminal elements.
Expressing deep concern over the recent abduction of school children in Oyo State, the NLC President said the Congress was heartbroken by reports and images of children allegedly held captive and subjected to hardship by bandits.
“As a nation, we cannot continue to fold our hands while this horror movie continues to play, from Zamfara to Oyo, from Maiduguri to Port Harcourt,” he lamented.
The Congress warned that it would not hesitate to organize solidarity actions in support of teachers and other workers if governments fail to take decisive steps to address the country’s deteriorating security situation.
Ajaero recalled that the NLC has consistently advocated stronger measures to tackle insecurity, noting that the labour movement had organized security summits and nationwide protests, including a major demonstration in 2024 despite attempts to discourage the action.
He also referenced the Congress’ earlier warning following the Oriire abductions in Oyo State, where it cautioned that continued insecurity could erode citizens’ confidence in the ability of the state to protect them.
The NLC lamented that subsequent mass abductions in states such as Plateau and Kogi have further underscored the severity of the crisis and raised concerns about the nation’s ability to contain criminal activities.
While acknowledging the operational challenges facing security agencies, the labour body urged governments at all levels to move beyond routine assurances and condolence messages and instead implement concrete, measurable and effective security interventions.
The Congress therefore demanding the immediate rescue and safe return of all abducted persons, declaring: “Free the abductees now, wherever they are held.”
The statement reinforces growing concerns among organized labour and the wider public over the persistent insecurity affecting schools, workplaces and communities across Nigeria.
