The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), while also demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all pupils, students, and teachers currently in captivity across the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, the labour centre described the industrial action as a necessary response to the worsening insecurity affecting schools and education workers nationwide.
According to the NLC, the strike reflects the determination of teachers to protect themselves amid escalating attacks on educational institutions, students, and staff by criminal groups.
“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 statement read.
The Congress said the action should also serve as a strong warning to federal and state governments to take urgent and decisive steps to address insecurity, which it described as a growing national crisis.
It further commended the leadership of the NUT, led by Titus Audu Amba, for what it called a courageous decision aimed at drawing attention to the safety of teachers and students across the country.
The NLC also expressed concern over the rising vulnerability of workers in other critical sectors, including local government staff, doctors, nurses, and health workers, who it said have increasingly become targets of kidnappers and armed bandits.
Reacting specifically to recent abductions in Oyo State, the labour union said it was deeply disturbed by reports and images showing the condition of victims held by armed groups.
“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 warned that insecurity had reached alarming levels across the country, citing incidents from different regions including Zamfara, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt, Plateau and Kogi, among others.
It stressed that the situation shows Nigeria is still far from winning the battle against criminal elements, despite repeated assurances from authorities.
While acknowledging the efforts of security agencies, the labour body urged governments at all levels to move beyond statements and adopt concrete, measurable actions to safeguard lives and property.
“We recognise the tricky operational situation in Oyo. We nonetheless 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 statement added.
The Congress also warned that it would not hesitate to organise solidarity actions in support of teachers and other workers if government response remains inadequate.
It concluded with a strong demand for immediate action: “Free the abductees now, wherever they are held!”
The statement adds to growing national concern over repeated school kidnappings and the broader insecurity crisis affecting several parts of Nigeria, with stakeholders calling for urgent reforms in security strategy and protection of educational institutions.
