Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday flooded the streets of Lagos in a show of rising public anger over worsening insecurity, demanding swift and decisive government action to halt violent crimes and kidnappings.
The protesters converged early at the Ikeja underpass, waving placards and chanting slogans that echoed frustration across the country. Some of the placards read, “Federal Government, No More Excuses and Rhetoric, End Insecurity Now,” as commuters and passersby paused to watch the procession march under the bridge.
Joined by civil society organisations and clad in NLC-branded aprons, the demonstrators accused the government of failing to translate promises into action despite repeated assurances.
“We have had enough of empty promises. Our members and Nigerians are tired of living in fear. The government must act now,” protesters chanted as security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, the NSCDC and the DSS monitored the march.
Africa Health Report gathered that NLC President, Joe Ajaero, led the protest alongside labour leaders in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, underscoring the union’s resolve to press for concrete steps to protect workers and citizens.
The Lagos protest came less than 24 hours after NLC leaders held a late-night meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, a meeting that failed to yield guarantees strong enough to halt the planned action.
The Congress said the demonstration was part of a coordinated nationwide protest, which also took place across major cities including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Enugu, Kano and others, highlighting the depth of insecurity gripping the country—particularly in northern Nigeria, where attacks, banditry and kidnappings have continued to threaten lives and livelihoods.
About the Author
Otamere Gladness 
Oluwatobi Adu 
Juliet Jacob