Labour union declares solidarity with striking teachers, condemns repeated kidnappings of pupils and educators, and warns of possible nationwide industrial action if government fails to act decisively.
A1NEWS International / June 4, 2026
Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind nationwide protests and strike actions embarked upon by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in response to escalating cases of kidnappings targeting teachers, pupils, and students across the country.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero described the action as a necessary response to what he termed a worsening “insecurity crisis industry” that continues to endanger education workers and vulnerable Nigerians.
The labour union said it stands in full solidarity with teachers who have been repeatedly affected by violent attacks and abductions in several parts of the country.
“TEACHERS TAKING THEIR DESTINY INTO THEIR HANDS”
According to the NLC, the coordinated industrial action by teachers reflects growing frustration within the education sector over the government’s perceived inability to guarantee safety in schools.
Ajaero said the strike represents a turning point in which educators are compelled to take protective action for their own survival in the face of repeated attacks.
“The national and well-coordinated action represents the resolve of teachers to take their destiny into their own hands instead of waiting to be slaughtered to the last person,” he stated.
The NLC further warned that continued insecurity in schools could destabilise the entire education system if urgent interventions are not implemented.
RISING CONCERNS OVER SCHOOL ABDUCTIONS
The labour body expressed deep concern over what it described as a pattern of serial abductions affecting teachers, pupils, and students across multiple regions of Nigeria.
Recent incidents, particularly in Oyo State and other parts of the country, have intensified fears among education stakeholders, parents, and civil society organisations.
The union said it was disturbed by reports of children being held hostage under brutal conditions in remote forest locations.
“We are heart-broken by the ugly pictures of our children held and tortured by depraved bandits in the forests of Oyo State,” the statement read.
Security analysts have warned that repeated attacks on schools could have long-term consequences, including declining school enrolment, teacher shortages, and increased educational inequality.
WARNING OF POSSIBLE NATIONAL ACTION
The NLC cautioned that it may be forced to escalate its response if government authorities fail to take decisive action to address insecurity.
It indicated that broader solidarity actions involving other categories of workers could be considered in the absence of measurable progress in securing abducted victims and protecting public institutions.
“We will not hesitate to do a solidarity action with the teachers or any other group of workers if government does not take more seriously the issues of our collective security,” Ajaero said.
The labour centre stressed that its concern extends beyond the education sector, noting that health workers, local government employees, and other public servants have also been increasingly exposed to insecurity-related risks.
GOVERNMENT URGED TO MOVE BEYOND STATEMENTS
The union criticised what it described as a recurring pattern of official responses that rely heavily on assurances and condolence messages without producing tangible results.
It urged federal and state governments to move beyond rhetoric and implement concrete, measurable security interventions.
“We call on 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 said.
The NLC argued that the persistence of mass abductions across states such as Oyo, Plateau, Kogi, and others demonstrates that Nigeria is still far from resolving its security challenges.
INDUSTRIAL ACTION AS A WAKE-UP CALL
The labour union described the teachers’ protests as a necessary alarm bell for national leadership, warning that continued inaction could lead to deeper social unrest.
It said Nigeria must confront what it described as a growing “insecurity economy” that thrives on kidnappings, ransom payments, and weak enforcement systems.
According to the NLC, failure to act decisively risks normalising violent attacks on schools and other civilian targets.
The union emphasised that its position is rooted in repeated attempts over the years to draw attention to the crisis through protests, summits, and formal engagements with authorities.
CALL FOR IMMEDIATE RESCUE OF VICTIMS
At the centre of the union’s demand is the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted teachers, pupils, and students still held by armed groups.
The NLC insisted that the safe return of victims must remain the top priority for all levels of government and security agencies.
“Free the abductees now, wherever they are held,” the statement concluded.
BACKGROUND: GROWING SCHOOL SECURITY CRISIS
Nigeria has witnessed a steady rise in attacks on schools in recent years, particularly in regions affected by armed banditry and insurgency.
Education experts warn that the continued targeting of schools undermines national development goals and threatens the future of millions of children.
Despite multiple government initiatives aimed at strengthening school security, incidents of mass abductions continue to occur, raising questions about intelligence effectiveness, response capacity, and coordination among security agencies.
The Nigeria Labour Congress’s endorsement of the teachers’ protests marks a significant escalation in labour opposition to Nigeria’s handling of insecurity in the education sector.
With unions warning of possible nationwide action, pressure is mounting on government authorities to demonstrate concrete progress in securing schools and rescuing abducted victims.
For now, the central demand remains unchanged: an end to school abductions and a credible security framework capable of protecting teachers, pupils, and communities across the country.
Leave a Reply