The Nigeria Labour Congress has announced a nationwide protest on December 17 to highlight the escalating insecurity crisis and press for decisive government intervention. The action aims to amplify public outrage and demonstrate solidarity with victims across all sectors.
NLC President Joe Ajaero revealed the plans in Gombe on Saturday during a media interaction following a courtesy visit to Governor Inuwa Yahaya on labour matters. “Our planned protest is to call attention to the impact of insecurity on investors and workers, who are kidnapped daily and sometimes killed,” he stated.
Ajaero described banditry and violent crimes as foreign to Nigerian culture, urging collective condemnation to halt a “dangerous national narrative.” He linked insecurity to economic stagnation: “Insecurity is damaging the economy and weakening Nigeria’s ability to attract local and foreign investors.”
Citing a recent Kebbi incident where a teacher was killed and students abducted, Ajaero noted: “The person killed was a teacher, while the kidnapped children included those of workers. So we are asking the government to help fish out the perpetrators and put an end to this menace.”
The protest, he clarified, also signals public backing for authorities. “Government should know their hands are being strengthened to do the needful because Nigerians are saying this is wrong and must stop.”
Ajaero highlighted workers’ vulnerability: kidnapped individuals often lack ransom funds, resorting to borrowing or begging. “It is important for workers to join the call to end insecurity, unless the government wants to give us security allowance to pay ransom. We don’t have guns or cutlasses to chase criminals; protest is our only voice to Nigerians and the international community.”
Beyond security, he advocated expanded social safety nets, arguing the new minimum wage requires complementary measures to alleviate hardship.
The announcement follows persistent concerns over kidnappings, banditry, and insurgency. In 2025 alone, security trackers recorded over 3,000 abduction cases, with ransom demands straining families and businesses. Labour’s mobilisation could draw broad participation, given unions’ reach across formal and informal sectors.
