The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has cautioned the Federal Government that merely changing military service chiefs will not end the country’s insecurity, stressing that Nigerians need tangible results on the ground. The labour union also announced plans for a nationwide protest on December 17 to express public frustration over the worsening security situation.
Speaking on Friday during an interview on Arise Television, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the Federal Government must move beyond reshuffling security chiefs and focus on real solutions to kidnapping, banditry, and other forms of violence that have plagued communities across Nigeria.
“The Federal Government changing service chiefs and rejigging the security apparatus doesn’t mean we are seeing results. We need solutions,” Ajaero said. He added that the removal of a minister or a chief of army staff does not automatically stop criminal activities.
Ajaero highlighted that Nigerians are no longer interested in symbolic gestures or “theoretical pace” in security management. “We want to see results,” he said, noting that communities continue to face persistent attacks despite recent personnel changes in the security sector.
The NLC has formally declared a nationwide protest scheduled for December 17, citing the ongoing wave of insecurity across the country. The planned demonstrations aim to draw attention to the persistent attacks, kidnappings, and violent crimes affecting citizens in both urban and rural areas.
In recent years, insecurity has escalated in Nigeria, with incidents ranging from banditry and kidnappings in the North-West to violent attacks by armed groups in the North-East and occasional criminal activities in the South-South and South-East regions. According to human rights and security reports, these attacks have disrupted economic activities, displaced communities, and led to the loss of countless lives.
Ajaero argued that the public’s patience is running thin and that immediate, effective measures are needed. He expressed frustration at the government’s perceived inaction, stating that changing security chiefs is not enough if it does not translate into improved protection for citizens.
When asked what specific recommendations the NLC was making to the government, Ajaero noted that the labour union had already presented options in writing but had received no response.
“The NLC has stopped putting the options on the pages of newspaper. We wrote to Mr President since June to provide options on tax sessions, on strikes in tertiary institutions, on strikes in the education sector and other areas,” he said. “And up to now, no acknowledgement of the letters. So where are we going to put our demand on if it’s not on the table?”
The NLC president emphasized that their demands are not limited to administrative reshuffles but include strategic measures to strengthen security, enhance intelligence gathering, and coordinate effectively across the country’s security agencies. He said the labour union expects the Federal Government to provide concrete plans and actions that can be measured in terms of results on the ground.
Nigeria has faced persistent security challenges for over a decade, including terrorism in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, clashes between herders and farmers, kidnapping for ransom, and violent crimes in several other regions. The insecurity has not only led to loss of lives but also affected the economy, disrupted education, and forced thousands of Nigerians to abandon their homes.
Previous efforts to address insecurity, including military campaigns, restructuring of security agencies, and changing service chiefs, have yielded limited results, according to civil society organisations and security analysts. This has led to increasing public frustration and calls for more transparent and effective solutions from the Federal Government.
The NLC, as Nigeria’s largest labour union, has been vocal in advocating for the welfare and safety of citizens. Its announcement of a nationwide protest reflects growing concern among organised labour and the general public about the government’s ability to secure lives and property.
While government officials have in the past stated that they are reviewing security strategies and making necessary personnel changes, critics argue that reshuffling security chiefs without addressing systemic issues is unlikely to bring significant improvement. These critics point to inadequate intelligence gathering, poor coordination among security agencies, and insufficient investment in community policing as factors that continue to fuel insecurity.
For citizens, the priority is visible results: reduced kidnappings, safer communities, and prompt action against armed groups. The NLC insists that symbolic gestures, such as changing the heads of security agencies, will not satisfy public demand unless accompanied by tangible improvements in safety and security.
