The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), describing the action as a necessary response to the growing wave of kidnappings targeting pupils, students and teachers across the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the labour movement fully supports the teachers’ decision to withdraw their services, insisting that the safety of educators and learners must be treated as a national priority.
According to Ajaero, the strike reflects the determination of teachers to resist becoming victims of worsening insecurity in schools and communities.
“The national and well-coordinated action represents the resolve of Teachers to take their destiny in their hands instead of waiting to be slaughtered to the last person,” he said.
The NLC noted that the industrial action goes beyond a protest, describing it as a clear warning to authorities at all levels about the urgent need to tackle insecurity.
“The action equally represents a gentle but unignorable nudge on the governments to take more seriously the growing insecurity industry,” the statement added.
The labour centre commended the leadership of the NUT under its National President, Titus Audu Amba, for what it described as a courageous and thoughtful move aimed at safeguarding both teachers and students.
Ajaero expressed particular concern over the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying reports and images emerging from the incident were deeply disturbing.
“We are heartbroken by the ugly pictures of our children, held and tortured by depraved bandits in the forests of Oyo state,” he stated.
The NLC warned that insecurity has evolved into a national emergency affecting schools, workplaces, highways and communities across Nigeria.
“As a nation, we cannot continue to fold our hands while this horror movie continues to play, from Zamfara to Oyo, from Maiduguri to Port Harcourt,” the Congress said.
The organisation also raised alarm over the increasing vulnerability of other categories of workers, including local government employees, doctors, nurses and healthcare workers, who have become frequent targets of kidnappers and criminal gangs.
According to the NLC, persistent attacks on workers and schoolchildren threaten public confidence in government institutions and undermine the delivery of essential services.
The Congress stressed that national development would remain difficult if citizens were unable to travel, work, access healthcare or attend school without fear.
It further warned that it could mobilise solidarity actions in support of teachers and other workers should governments fail to demonstrate greater commitment to protecting lives and property.
“We will not hesitate to do a solidarity action with the teachers or any other group of workers if the government does not take more seriously the issues of our collective security,” Ajaero warned.
The NLC recalled previous efforts to draw attention to the security crisis through protests, advocacy campaigns and security summits, including a nationwide demonstration held in 2024.
The Congress lamented that despite repeated warnings, recent mass abductions in Oyo, Plateau, Kogi and other states indicate that criminal groups continue to operate with alarming ease.
“Since then, other major/group abductions have taken place in Plateau, Kogi and other places, underscoring the fact that for now we are not winning this war. It is heartbreaking,” the statement noted.
While acknowledging the challenges confronting security agencies, the labour centre urged governments at all levels to move beyond routine assurances and adopt practical measures capable of reversing the trend.
“We recognise the tricky operational situation in Oyo. We nonetheless use this opportunity to once again call on the government at all levels to rise beyond the ritual of ‘we are on top of the situation’ and condolence messages to concrete and measurable action,” the NLC said.
The Congress concluded by demanding the immediate rescue and release of all abducted victims, declaring: “Free the abductees now, wherever they are held!”
