RismadarVoice Reporters
June 3, 2026
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind the nationwide strike action declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), describing the action as a necessary response to the growing insecurity confronting teachers, pupils and educational institutions across the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC also called for the immediate rescue and release of all pupils, students and teachers currently being held by kidnappers.
The labour centre said the industrial action reflects the determination of teachers to protect themselves amid increasing attacks on schools and education personnel.
“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 stated.
According to the Congress, the strike should serve as a wake-up call to governments at all levels to confront the country’s worsening security challenges with greater urgency.
“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 commended the leadership of the NUT, led by Titus Audu Amba, for what it described as a thoughtful and courageous step aimed at drawing national attention to the safety and welfare of teachers and students.
The labour body also expressed concern over the increasing vulnerability of workers across various sectors, noting that local government employees, healthcare workers and other public servants have become frequent targets of kidnappers and armed criminal groups.
Reacting to reports and images relating to abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State, the Congress said it was deeply disturbed by the condition of the victims.
“We are heartbroken by the ugly pictures of our children, held and tortured by depraved bandits in the forests of Oyo State,” the NLC said.
Describing insecurity as a national crisis, the labour union warned that the situation had escalated beyond isolated incidents and now required decisive intervention.
“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 stated.
The Congress further warned that it could organise solidarity actions with teachers and other categories of workers if authorities fail to demonstrate stronger commitment to addressing insecurity.
“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.
The NLC recalled that it had consistently raised concerns about insecurity through protests, advocacy campaigns and security summits, including a nationwide demonstration held in 2024.
It also referenced the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, noting that the incident reinforces longstanding concerns about the activities of criminal groups and the inability of authorities to effectively curb mass kidnappings.
According to the Congress, subsequent abductions in states such as Plateau and Kogi suggest that the country is still struggling to gain the upper hand against criminal elements.
“Since then, other major/group abductions have taken place in Plateau, Kogi and other places, underscoring the fact that for now we are not winning this war. It is heartbreaking,” the statement said.
While acknowledging the operational challenges facing security agencies, the NLC urged governments to move beyond routine assurances and adopt practical measures capable of delivering tangible results.
“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 Congress stated.
The labour centre concluded by demanding the immediate rescue and release of all abducted victims across the country.
“Free the abductees now, wherever they are held,” the statement declared.
The abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has continued to attract nationwide attention, with citizens, labour groups and civil society organisations calling for intensified rescue efforts and stronger security measures to protect schools and communities.
