Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday staged coordinated protests across major cities, including Lagos, Abuja and Enugu, to express concern over worsening insecurity in the country and to demand immediate and decisive government action.
In Lagos, protesters converged early at the Ikeja Underbridge, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards with messages such as “Federal Government, No More Excuses—End Insecurity Now” and “Protect Workers, Protect Nigerians.” The demonstration attracted members of various civil society organisations, with participants wearing NLC-branded aprons as they marched, drawing the attention of commuters and passersby.
Protesters accused the government of failing to translate repeated assurances into concrete action, insisting that Nigerians were tired of living in fear. Some demonstrators said workers were increasingly becoming victims of kidnappings, violent attacks and other crimes.
The Lagos protest came less than 24 hours after NLC leaders held a late-night meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to discuss labour-related concerns, including security challenges. The decision to proceed with the protest suggested that the meeting did not yield commitments strong enough to halt the planned nationwide action.
In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, protesters gathered at the NLC secretariat before marching under heavy security presence. Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) were deployed to monitor the procession. The protesters later marched towards the Federal Ministry of Finance as part of the demonstration.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, joined labour leaders, union members and civil society activists at the Abuja protest, which was conducted peacefully.
Meanwhile, commercial activities were disrupted in parts of Enugu State as the NLC chapter staged its own protest against insecurity. The demonstration was led by the state NLC chairman, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, who lamented the rising cases of violent crimes and kidnappings across the country.
Nwigbo urged the government to take firm and proactive steps to safeguard lives and property, stressing that Nigerians, especially workers, deserved to live and work in a safe environment without fear.
Similar protests were also held in Kano and other states. In Kano, the NLC chairman, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, called on President Tinubu to urgently find a lasting solution to the country’s security challenges. He made the call while presenting the union’s demands to the state government for onward transmission to the President.
Inuwa warned that persistent insecurity was pushing the nation towards severe social and economic hardship, stressing the need for coordinated efforts among the federal government, state governors and security agencies.
The NLC said the protests formed part of a nationwide campaign to draw attention to the growing security crisis and to press the government to implement immediate, practical measures to restore safety and public confidence across the country.
Copyright © EaglesWatchOnline 2023 All rights reserved.
This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without written permission from EaglesWatchOnline.
