The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, took a critical look at the deteriorated security situation in the country, demanding a decisive action now by the federal government
The NLC stressed that given the multi-layer tragedy and the nation’s seeming helplessness in the face of it all, time has come for a sincere and honest conversation and change of both strategies and tactics in the war against terror.
The umbrella organisation of workers in the country declared that there is the urgent need for a fundamental shift from the war as a business to one of survival.
The NLC which stated these in a statement by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, emphasised the dire need for government at all levels to wake up, just as security agencies should do a thorough soul-searching.
Ajaero stated that it is superfluous to say it is their sacred duty to protect lives and property, stressing that where there is the will, there will be a way.
The NLC insisted that the government must address the challenge before it is too late, stressing that Nigerians have had enough of sermons and condolences messages.
“We demand action now. We have had enough of sermons and condolence messages. For how long should we bleed like this?”
The organised labour which spoke against the backdrop of the abduction of an estimated 39 pupils and 7 teachers that were taken away from Community High School and L.A Basic School, Ahoro Esinele; and First Baptist School (Nursery and Primary) Yawota, all in Oriire Local Government Council of Oyo State, noted that the general reaction, was possibly a shrug.
It further said; “Oh, it has happened again. This reaction was certainly not out of callousness, but a reflection of the extent of the loss of our humanity, and equally so, a quiet indignation and a reluctant acceptance of our new way of life.
“However, Ahoro Esinele and Yawota have refused to go away, partly due to the age of the abductees (little children) and perhaps, due to the gory nature of the killing of one of the teachers in captivity.
“Perhaps, it has more to do with the psychology of the bandits who derive sadistic joy from putting infants through all manner of torture and posting same in social media as an extension of that torture as well as a leverage to compel the government or the people to pay up the ransom money demanded by them.
“It is equally to serve as a perpetual reminder that they are in charge. However, it is important to distinguish the reaction of security agencies and local vigilante who gave a prompt pursuit, but were repelled by the use of improvised explosive devices as well as the use of the abductees as human shield. Herein lies the tragedy of Ahoro Esinele and Yawota,” it stated.
The NLC pointedly said that we seem to have lost the kinetic deterrence and capacity for opposed extraction (rescue), stressing that a greater tragedy awaits us all.
In the words of the NLC’ “And that is the potential switch of loyalty to bandits en mass by the citizenry. Needless to say this represents a vote of no confidence in all of us and inherently trust in bandits to offer better protection.
“Another layer of the tragedy is that there are no more safe havens in the country. From the perspective of the affected rustic communities, abductions of this nature were stories told of distant places.
“Now, no where is safe. It is only a matter of time before residents of mega cities get dragged out of their domicile in broad daylight,” the labour organisation stressed.
