The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the abduction of college students in Kebbi State and urged the federal government to take urgent action to halt rising insecurity.
The NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, made the position of the congress known in a statement in Abuja.
Ajaero said that the incident was shocking, especially happening in a state known for proactive security measures and steady social interventions.
He said the attack showed that the country must rethink its current security strategy to prevent further breakdown of safety across communities.
“The abduction of students in Kebbi is a painful reminder that insecurity is far from over.
“Kebbi has enjoyed stability due to regular payment of salaries, pensions, and visible infrastructural development, making the attack even more troubling
“That bandits struck with ease despite existing measures, points to something more sinister, something we must all be concerned about,’’ he said.
Ajaero said the promise made after the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction that such incidents would not happen again had not been fulfilled.
“We had promised that after Chibok, it would not happen again, yet, here we are back to where we started,’’ he added.
He called for collective support for the Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, as the government and families dealt with the emotional trauma.
“The governor needs all the support he can get at this point in time,’’ Ajaero said.
He urged the federal government to intensify efforts in securing the country’s vast landmass, stressing that existing budgetary allocations had not produced meaningful results.
Ajaero said the shrinking physical and psychological spaces across the country should worry every Nigerian.
He warned that states currently facing attacks might not be the only ones at risk, noting that insecurity could escalate if not addressed urgently.
