The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Gombe State Chapter, on Wednesday joined its counterparts nationwide in a peaceful protest against the worsening state of insecurity in the country, in compliance with directives from the NLC National Executive Council.
The protesting workers, who moved in a convoy of vehicles, converged at the office of the Deputy Governor, where the State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Yusuf Bello, formally presented a letter addressed to the Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Yahaya.
Speaking at the event, Comrade Bello said the protest was aimed at conveying the position of Nigerian workers on the rising wave of insecurity and proposing practical ways forward.
He noted that insecurity has continued to affect Nigerians across religious, ethnic and occupational lines, with devastating consequences for livelihoods, education, healthcare and national development.
In the letter titled “Why Workers Are Protesting Against the Rising Wave of Insecurity in Nigeria and the Way Forward,” the NLC lamented over two decades of persistent insecurity characterised by banditry, kidnapping for ransom and terrorism, which have displaced millions of Nigerians and crippled economic activities, particularly agriculture.
The congress highlighted the impact of insecurity on farmers, teachers, healthcare workers, traders and other vulnerable groups, adding “statistics on the destruction of schools and healthcare facilities, killings and abductions of workers, and the mass displacement of professionals, especially in the North-East.”
As part of its recommendations, the NLC called for, among others, the justiciability of Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution, the establishment of Security Trust Funds at all levels of government, transparency in the management of security votes, “compensation for victims of insecurity, reduction of inequality, electoral reforms, judicial reforms, and the creation of citizens’ security councils. The congress also advocated a short amnesty window for armed groups to surrender their weapons, followed by decisive action against criminal elements,” the letter added.
Receiving the protesters, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr Manassah Jatau, acknowledged the validity of the concerns raised by the NLC, noting that insecurity and corruption remain major challenges confronting the nation.
Jatau, however, stressed that addressing these challenges is a collective responsibility, not that of government alone. He observed that Nigerians often patronise corrupt individuals by conferring honours, religious recognition and social relevance on them, a practice he said must stop if corruption is to be effectively tackled.
He further noted that security agencies rely heavily on credible intelligence from the public, stressing that criminals live among law-abiding citizens and can only be exposed through timely reporting and cooperation.
The Deputy Governor urged Nigerians, including labour leaders, adding “to avoid placing all the blame on government, noting that governance involves collective leadership and shared responsibility. He called for prayers and practical actions toward peace, urging citizens to “walk for peace” in order to achieve lasting solutions.”
Jatau assured the NLC delegation that their letter would be forwarded to the Governor for necessary action, reaffirming the commitment of the state government to the security and welfare of residents.
