The Nigeria Labour Congress has endorsed the nationwide strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Union of Teachers, insisting that urgent steps must be taken to rescue schoolchildren, students and teachers kidnapped in different parts of the country.
In a statement released on Wednesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the industrial action highlights the growing dangers faced by teachers and learners as insecurity continues to spread across the nation.
According to the labour body, educators can no longer remain passive while attacks on schools and communities persist.
“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 argued that the strike sends a clear message to government authorities that the security situation requires more serious attention.
“The action equally represents a gentle but unignorable nudge on the governments to take more seriously the growing insecurity industry,” the statement added.
The NLC applauded the leadership of the teachers’ union for drawing attention to the threats confronting education workers and students nationwide.
It also expressed concern over the increasing number of abductions involving workers from various sectors, including health personnel and local government staff.
Referring to the recent kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, the labour organisation described the situation as heartbreaking.
“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.
The NLC maintained that insecurity has reached alarming levels across the country and warned that stronger action is needed to reverse the trend.
“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 union also hinted at the possibility of organising solidarity protests if authorities fail to demonstrate greater commitment to protecting citizens.
“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.
While acknowledging ongoing security efforts, the Congress urged leaders to focus on practical results rather than routine assurances.
“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 stated.
The organisation concluded by demanding the immediate rescue and release of everyone still being held by kidnappers.
“Free the abductees now, wherever they are held!”
