The Nigeria Labour Congress has thrown its weight behind the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers, describing the action as a necessary response to the growing insecurity facing teachers and schoolchildren across the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the strike reflects teachers’ determination to protect themselves amid increasing attacks on schools and education workers.
According to him, educators can no longer continue to work under conditions where their safety is constantly under threat.
“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,” Ajaero said.
The labour centre noted that the industrial action should serve as a wake-up call to governments at all levels to take decisive steps toward addressing the country’s worsening security challenges.
“The action equally represents a gentle but unignorable nudge on governments to take more seriously the growing insecurity industry,” the statement added.
The NLC commended the leadership of the NUT under Titus Audu Amba for what it described as a thoughtful and courageous decision aimed at drawing attention to the safety of teachers and students nationwide.
The Congress also expressed concern over the increasing vulnerability of workers across various sectors, including local government employees, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who have become targets of kidnappers and criminal gangs.
Reacting to the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, the NLC said it was deeply disturbed by reports and images emerging from the incident.
“We are heartbroken by the ugly pictures of our children held and tortured by depraved bandits in the forests of Oyo State,” the labour body stated.
The organisation warned that insecurity has evolved into a national crisis that requires urgent and coordinated intervention.
“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,” Ajaero said.
The labour union further cautioned that it may mobilise solidarity actions alongside teachers and other workers if authorities fail to demonstrate greater commitment to tackling insecurity.
“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,” the statement noted.
The NLC recalled its previous efforts to draw attention to the country’s security challenges through protests, advocacy campaigns, and security summits, including a nationwide demonstration held in 2024.
It also referenced the recent abduction in Oyo State, noting that the incident reinforces longstanding concerns about the growing influence of criminal groups and the inability to effectively curb mass kidnappings.
According to the Congress, similar incidents recorded in Plateau, Kogi, and other states indicate that the country is still struggling to gain the upper hand against criminal elements.
“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 added.
While acknowledging the operational difficulties confronting security agencies, the labour centre urged governments to move beyond assurances and take measurable actions to safeguard lives and property.
“We recognise the tricky operational situation in Oyo. We nonetheless use this opportunity to once again call on governments at all levels to rise beyond the ritual of ‘we are on top of the situation’ and condolence messages to concrete and measurable action,” Ajaero said.
The NLC concluded by demanding the immediate rescue and release of all abducted victims.
“Free the abductees now, wherever they are held,” the Congress declared.
The abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area has continued to attract nationwide attention, with civil society groups, labour organisations, and concerned citizens calling for intensified rescue efforts and improved security around schools.
