Ebonyi NLC Holds Peaceful Protest Over Insecurity

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ebonyi State Chapter, and its affiliate bodies embarked on a peaceful protest in Abakaliki, the State capital, on Wednesday over the rate of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and incessant killings in different parts of the country.

The protesters, in large numbers, converged at the Pa Ngele Orunta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, as early as 7 am for the protest.

They marched from the stadium gate to the Old Enugu-Ogoja expressway and returned to the stadium, where they were seen chanting solidarity songs urging the state and federal governments, as well as the security agencies, to end insecurity in the country.

In his address, the State Chairperson of the NLC, Comrade Ogugua Egwu, expressed regret that many Nigerians have become refugees in their own country as internally displaced persons and now live in IDP camps that are still not safe for habitation.

He noted that Nigerians can no longer take their children to school without worrying about their safety. “Even the lives of our children in their schools are no longer safe. A situation where innocent children are abducted in large numbers leaves us with the question, “Where are our security agencies?

“Have they also been recklessly abandoned and abducted by the agents of social and financial insecurity, or have they been abducted by the killing hands of poverty that they cannot live up to expectations?”

Egwu maintained that the government was more concerned about winning elections than safeguarding the people who would vote in the election.

He added that Nigerians can no longer remain silent when the security of their lives cannot be assured by a government whose primary constitutional role is to protect the lives and properties of citizens.

“We cannot remain silent when foreigners make gestures of our country because the government is showing a lack of will to conquer insecurity in Nigeria,” Egwu said.

He stated that just last week, a worker in Ebonyi State was abducted with her husband along the Afikpo-Onueke express road, adding that several staff of the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, AEfetha were in the past abducted along the Enugu-Abakaliki Express road.

Comrade Egwu said that, apart from the unprecedented insecurity in the country, the entire Nigerian people are faced with financial insecurity.

He noted that citizens were being inundated with statistics of an improved economy, yet Nigerians see nothing that reflects the data.

“The cost of PMS has not reduced, the wage system is grossly inadequate and cannot take us home. Over 80% of Nigerian workers spend nearly 100% of their wages on the basic necessities of life, including food, shelter, and water.

“Even the shelter components have eluded a lot of our workers, especially in Ebonyi State. Some people virtually live in their offices, while others operate from obscure and unsanitary environments that are not fit for humans. Quality education for our children is gradually becoming a flamboyance in our dreams,” he maintained.

The NLC chairman attributed financial insecurity as the foundation for what he called absolute insecurity, saying the youths were becoming tools of political support groups for the next election.

“Government must do something drastic and positive before the Nigerian people get blown away by the wind of all forms of insecurity,” Egwu said.