The Nigeria Labour Congress has warned that it may call a nationwide protest as insecurity continues to spread across the country. The warning was issued in Lagos during the opening of the union’s National Executive Council meeting, where NLC President Joe Ajaero said the country is facing a wave of kidnappings, attacks, and killings that can no longer be ignored.
Ajaero told workers that the rise in abductions, especially the recent kidnapping of schoolchildren, shows that the nation is in danger. He questioned why security personnel posted to a school were removed shortly before gunmen attacked, saying the incident raises concern about possible internal wrongdoing. He insisted that the union will demand answers and may lead a national action if there is no clear explanation from the authorities.
He said the union will set a national day of mourning for victims and call on the government to protect citizens and remove officers who are not doing their jobs. Ajaero explained that many workers have been killed or kidnapped in recent months, with families forced to pay heavy ransoms. He said the situation has reached a point where workers cannot remain silent.
During his address, Ajaero also spoke on poor electricity supply in the country. He said tariff increases have not led to better service and called on operators to provide steady power. He reminded Nigerians that promises made during the push for deregulation have not been fulfilled.
He also reacted to the ongoing strikes in the education and health sectors, saying the Federal Government must honour the agreements it signed. According to him, the NLC may take action if the government continues to delay its commitments. Ajaero further advised politicians to stop causing tension and to respect the rules guiding public office.
In another decision announced at the meeting, the NLC president said all workers’ representatives in the Labour Party are being withdrawn because they are not serving the interest of workers. He said they act mostly for themselves and not for the people they were meant to represent.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana also spoke at the meeting and said the country is in serious danger due to rising attacks, kidnappings, and the destruction of places of worship. He warned that calls for foreign military involvement could put Nigeria’s future at risk.
Falana criticised comments made by former U.S. President Donald Trump about Nigeria and said no foreign leader has the right to threaten the country. He urged President Bola Tinubu to act quickly to safeguard lives. He also questioned claims by foreign groups who claim to protect Christians, asking why they have ignored attacks in parts of Nigeria if their intentions are genuine.
Falana said Nigeria must avoid being drawn into foreign military conflicts and cited past global wars that led to long-term instability. He called on labour unions, civil society groups, and Nigerians to be ready to defend the country from further security collapse, saying citizens must show that the nation will not be taken over by violent groups.