The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its support behind the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), while also demanding the immediate release of abducted pupils, and teachers across the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 3, and signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, the labour body said the strike reflects growing frustration over worsening insecurity in schools and communities.
The NLC described the industrial action as a necessary step by teachers to protect themselves amid rising attacks on educational institutions and staff.
“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,” the NLC said.
The Congress added that the strike should serve as a strong warning to governments at all levels to take insecurity more seriously.
“The action equally represents a gentle but unignorable nudge on the governments to take more seriously the growing insecurity industry,” the statement added.
Commending the leadership of the NUT, led by Titus Audu Amba, the NLC said the union had taken a courageous step to highlight the dangers facing teachers and students nationwide.
The labour centre also raised alarm over the increasing vulnerability of workers, including doctors, nurses, and local government staff, who have become frequent targets of kidnappers and armed groups.
Reacting to recent kidnappings in Oyo State, the NLC said it was distressed by the condition of victims and the continued wave of abductions.
“We are heartbroken by the ugly pictures of our children, held and tortured by depraved bandits in the forests of Oyo state,” the Congress stated.
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The union warned that insecurity had escalated into a national emergency requiring urgent and coordinated action.
“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,” it said.
The NLC also cautioned that it may embark on solidarity actions if government fails to take decisive steps to address the crisis.
“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.
It recalled previous warnings, protests, and security summits organised by the labour movement, including a nationwide protest in 2024, all aimed at drawing attention to rising insecurity.
The Congress further referenced recent mass abductions in Oyo, Plateau, and Kogi states, saying the situation showed the country was still struggling to contain the threat.
“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 NLC said.
While acknowledging the efforts of security agencies, the labour body urged governments to move beyond verbal assurances and take concrete action.
“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,” it stated.
The NLC ended its statement with a strong demand for immediate action.
“Free the abductees now, wherever they are held!”