Following rising security threats in the country, particularly in the northern part of Nigeria, the Cross River State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has joined the ongoing nationwide protest organised by the national body to express concern over worsening insecurity and to call on governments at all levels to urgently fulfil their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.
The protest follows similar demonstrations across the country, including in Abuja, Lagos, Anambra, and other states, aimed at addressing broader labour grievances as well as the impact of insecurity on workers’ productivity, safety, and livelihoods.
The protest is intended to draw attention to the increasing attacks on citizens and the growing sense of fear among workers and residents, as incidents of kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes continue to rise.
Speaking on Tuesday during the rally, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Greg Olayi, lamented that Nigerians could no longer live or work in safety, noting that attacks on farmers, kidnappings of schoolchildren and frequent assaults on travellers had become rampant.
According to him, “Nigerians can no longer go to their farms, schools or travel on our highways without fear. People sleep with their eyes open because insecurity has taken over our communities. This is unacceptable.”
Olayi stressed that elected leaders were voted into office to guarantee the security and wellbeing of citizens but regretted that the reality on ground showed a failure to live up to that responsibility. He said workers and ordinary Nigerians were daily exposed to danger, while many families had been thrown into anguish due to kidnappings and ransom demands.
“The essence of leadership is to protect lives and property. Today, workers are not only struggling with economic hardship, they are also unsure if they will return home safely after work,” he added.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, Raymond Afu, said labour was compelled to speak out because of the growing suffering of Nigerians occasioned by insecurity and the rising cost of living.
He described the rally as a call to conscience for government at both state and federal levels, saying, “This peaceful protest is to remind those in authority that the primary purpose of governance is the safety of the people. Nigerians deserve to live without fear in their own country.”
Afu emphasised that the protest was peaceful and aimed at drawing attention to the plight of workers and citizens, not to cause violence or disrupt public order.
The labour leaders called on government to take urgent and decisive steps to tackle insecurity and improve the living conditions of Nigerians, warning that continued inaction could further erode public confidence and lead to further loss of lives.
