President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has called on government at all levels and security agencies to urgently address the worsening insecurity in the country following the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Ajaero lamented the recent abduction of about 39 pupils and seven teachers from Community High School and L.A Basic School in Ahoro Esinele, as well as First Baptist School in Yawota, all located in Oriire Local Government Area of the state. He described the incident as a reflection of the nation’s growing loss of humanity and the dangerous normalization of insecurity.
The labour leader expressed concern over reports that one of the abducted teachers was killed in captivity, noting that the age of the victims and the gruesome nature of the incident had further heightened public outrage.
According to him, bandits now derive “sadistic joy” from torturing victims and sharing such videos on social media to pressure authorities and families into paying ransom.Ajaero, however, commended security operatives and local vigilantes for their prompt response, saying they were repelled by the use of improvised explosive devices and the abductees as human shields.
He warned that the inability to decisively confront criminal elements could lead to citizens losing confidence in the government and turning to bandits for protection.He further warned that no part of the country remains safe, stressing that insecurity once associated with remote communities is gradually spreading to urban centres.
The NLC president called for a sincere reassessment of strategies in the fight against terrorism and banditry, insisting that government must move beyond condolence messages to decisive action.
“We demand action now. We have had enough of sermons and condolence messages. For how long should we bleed like this?” he said.