Nigeria’s main labour union, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has reaffirmed its commitment to holding a nationwide protest on 17 December against what it describes as the country’s worsening insecurity.
NLC president Joe Ajaero made the statement on Saturday after meeting Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, insisting there would be “no going back” on the action, which was first announced on 8 December.
Mr Ajaero said the protest aimed to demand “decisive government action” against banditry and violent crime, which he called alien to Nigerian culture and a threat to the nation’s narrative.
He argued that insecurity now affects every Nigerian, regardless of status or occupation, and is damaging the economy by deterring local and foreign investment.
The union highlighted recent school attacks, including the November abduction of 24 girls in Kebbi State where a staff member was killed, criticising the withdrawal of security personnel shortly before the incident.
It called for urgent measures to protect schools, especially in remote areas, and for investigations into security lapses.
The NLC also raised broader concerns about crises in tertiary education, an ongoing health sector strike, and political issues within the Labour Party.
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