Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday staged coordinated protests in Lagos, Abuja and Enugu to express concern over the worsening insecurity across the country.
The body called on the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive action to protect lives and property.
In Lagos, protesters converged early at the Ikeja Underpass, where they marched with placards and chanted slogans demanding an end to violent crimes and kidnappings.
Some of the placards read, “Federal Government, No More Excuses and Rhetoric, End Insecurity Now,” while others called for better protection for workers and citizens.
The Lagos protest attracted support from several civil society organisations, with participants wearing NLC-branded aprons as they marched under the bridge, drawing the attention of commuters.
Demonstrators accused the government of failing to translate promises into concrete action.
“We have had enough of empty promises. Our members and Nigerians are tired of living in fear. The government must act now,” protesters chanted.
The demonstration 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 issues, including security challenges.
The continuation of the protest suggested that the meeting did not yield assurances sufficient to halt the planned action.
In the Federal Capital Territory, protesters assembled at the NLC secretariat before marching under heavy security. Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) were deployed to monitor the procession.
The protesters later moved towards the Federal Ministry of Finance as part of the demonstration. NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, was present alongside leaders of various labour unions and civil society groups participating in the nationwide action.
In Enugu State, activities were temporarily disrupted as the state chapter of the NLC commenced its protest. The demonstration was led by the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, who decried the deteriorating security situation nationwide.
Nwigbo lamented the rising cases of violent crimes and kidnappings, urging the government to take decisive steps to safeguard lives and property. He said Nigerians, particularly workers, deserve to live and work without constant fear.
The NLC said the protests formed part of a coordinated nationwide action aimed at drawing attention to the growing insecurity and pressing the government to implement immediate and concrete measures to address the crisis.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Kano State chapter of the NLC, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, called on President Tinubu to urgently find a lasting solution to persistent insecurity. Speaking during the protest in Kano, Inuwa said the issue had plunged many Nigerians into hardship, stressing the need for coordinated efforts among the President, state governors and security agencies.
“For every nation that is bedevilled with insecurity to this magnitude, we are at the brink of collapse,” he said, while noting that Kano remains relatively peaceful and urging sustained efforts to prevent the spread of violence into the state.
