NLC members protest in Lagos against rising insecurity
The NLC protesters gathered at the Ikeja underpass early in the morning on Wednesday, carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding urgent action to curb violent crimes and kidnappings.
by Emmanuel Agbo · Premium TimesMembers of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Lagos have commenced a protest against rising insecurity, hours after the union’s leadership held a late-night meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The protesters gathered at the Ikeja underpass early in the morning on Wednesday, carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding urgent action to curb violent crimes and kidnappings. Some of the messages read, “Federal Government No More Excuse and Rhetoric, End Insecurity Now!”
Others held banners calling for the protection of workers and the safety of Nigerians.
Participants also wore aprons with the words “NLC” as they marched under the bridge, drawing attention from commuters and passersby.
Some of the members kept saying, “We have had enough of empty promises. Our members and Nigerians are tired of living in fear. The government must act now.”
The protest came less than 24 hours after NLC leaders met President Tinubu to discuss labour-related issues, including security concerns affecting workers. The continuation of the protest suggested that the discussions did not yield sufficient assurances to halt the planned action.
Earlier Wednesday, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the NLC said it would proceed with the protest despite Tuesday’s meeting, with NLC President Joe Ajaero confirming at the Labour House in Lagos that the demonstration would hold as planned.
Security operatives were deployed along the protest route to maintain order. The demonstration remained peaceful, and no incidents of violence or arrests were reported as of the time of filing this report.
The NLC has repeatedly warned that persistent insecurity poses a threat to workers’ safety, economic activities, and national stability, urging the government to move beyond rhetoric to concrete measures.