NLC protesters
Nigeria’s growing security challenges took centre stage on Wednesday as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led coordinated protests across several states, calling on authorities to move swiftly from promises to concrete action.
The demonstrations, which drew support from various civil society organisations, were aimed at drawing attention to the worsening state of insecurity and its toll on the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.
In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, workers and activists converged at the NLC secretariat before embarking on a peaceful march through major routes in the city. The procession, monitored by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), later made its way to the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans, urging the government to strengthen security measures and protect citizens from the surge in kidnappings, banditry and violent crimes.
A similar scene played out in Lagos, where NLC members, alongside civil society groups, marched from Ikeja to the Lagos State Government House in Alausa. There, they voiced frustration over persistent kidnappings and criminal activities, calling on both the state and federal governments to act decisively to restore public safety.
In Rivers State, the NLC chapter organised a peaceful march along the Port Harcourt–Aba Expressway. The protesters later gathered at the main entrance of the Rivers State Government House, expressing deep concern over ongoing security challenges and their impact on economic activities and daily life.
Workers in Taraba and Niger states also joined the nationwide action, echoing similar demands for better protection of lives and property. Many warned that insecurity, if left unchecked, would continue to undermine productivity, investment and national stability.
Across the protests, the message was consistent: Nigerians want action, not rhetoric. The labour movement urged the government to live up to its constitutional responsibility of guaranteeing the safety and security of all citizens.
