By Charles Pemu 
Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have commenced a massive gathering at the Labour House in Abuja, marking the start of a nationwide protest against the deteriorating security situation across the country. Led by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the protesters are demanding immediate and decisive action from the federal government to stem the tide of kidnappings, killings, and general lawlessness.
The atmosphere at the secretariat was charged as leaders of various labour unions and civil society organisations arrived to coordinate the demonstration. High-profile activists, including Omoyele Sowore and members of the Revolution Now Movement, were also prominently present, signaling a broad coalition of interest groups joining forces with organised labour to challenge the current administration’s security record.
Addressing journalists at the venue, Omoyele Sowore painted a grim picture of the nation’s safety, asserting that Nigeria is “bleeding” and that the leadership has failed in its primary duty to protect citizens. He lamented that the crisis has become so pervasive that Nigerians are no longer safe even within places of worship, regardless of their religious affiliation.
Sowore highlighted specific cases of mass abductions, noting that over 250 children remain in captivity in Niger State with no clear path to their rescue. He further pointed to the recent and highly embarrassing reports of Nigerian military personnel, including members of the Air Force, being captured by foreign forces in Burkina Faso as evidence that the national security architecture has broken down irretrievably. He stressed that the duty of the people is to continue mobilising until the government understands that “enough is enough.”
In anticipation of the march, the federal government has authorised a massive deployment of security personnel across the capital. Officers from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) have cordoned off key areas surrounding the NLC Secretariat and the routes leading to the Three Arms Zone.
Despite the heavy presence of armed operatives, the protesters remain resolute. The NLC leadership has insisted that the march will be peaceful but firm, aimed at conveying the deep-seated frustrations of the Nigerian worker who now faces the double burden of economic hardship and the constant threat of violence. The protest is expected to move toward major government landmarks, where petitions detailing the demands for security sector reform and improved intelligence gathering will be presented.
As the morning progresses, the crowd continues to swell, with similar gatherings reported in several state capitals across the federation. The outcome of today’s demonstration is seen as a critical test of the government’s willingness to engage with organised labour on the fundamental issue of national survival.