Protesters in action in Jos, Plateau state
- Workers Vow to Shut Down Nigeria if Situation Persists
By Azi Nukpis-Jos
Jos, the Plateau State capital, was brought to a standstill on Tuesday as workers under the umbrella of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Civil Liberty Organisations staged a massive protest against worsening insecurity in the country.
The protesters, clad in their various union uniforms and regalia, marched to the Plateau State House of Assembly and the Government House, Little Rayfield, to submit letters expressing their anger, frustration and demands to the government.
Workers gathered as early as 8:00 a.m., waving placards with inscriptions such as “This Bloodbath Must Stop Now,” “Justice for the Victims,” and “Rise Up Now, Nigerians.” The protest commenced at Secretariat Junction with the chanting of popular labour songs amid heavy security presence, mainly by the Nigeria Police Force.
Addressing the crowd were the Plateau State NLC Chairman, Comrade Eugene Manji; leader of the Civil Liberty Organisations, Comrade Steve Aluko; and representatives of unions including NUT, NULGE, PASAN, SSANU, NUJ, NASU and ASUU. The leaders condemned the persistent insecurity, noting that Plateau State remains one of the worst-affected states. They cited the recent killing of residents in Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
The union leaders also lamented the government’s inability to resettle Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in their ancestral homes and decried the closure of schools, describing it as a major setback to the education sector.
At the Plateau State House of Assembly, the protesters were received by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel, alongside the member representing Rukuba-Irigwe constituency. The Speaker commended the workers for their peaceful conduct and assured them of the Assembly’s full support, noting that legislators and their constituents are direct victims of the insecurity. He cited the kidnapping of the member representing Pankshin South at his residence in Dong as a clear example.
The protest later moved to the Government House, Little Rayfield, where the same letter was presented to the state government. The workers warned that if insecurity continues and abducted students remain in captivity, they would shut down the country without further notice.
Speaking at the Assembly complex, the National Internal Auditor of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Comrade Timnang Rindam, said the union was fully mobilised to protect the interests of its members and the wider public. He described the security situation as deteriorating and challenged the government to rise to its responsibility of protecting all citizens.
Rindam also urged the government to urgently meet SSANU’s demands to avert a total shutdown of universities, following an ultimatum issued after the union’s NEC meeting at the University of Jos.
Also speaking, Comrade Dusu Sambo of Plateau State University expressed concern over the worsening condition of the country, noting that Nigerians are no longer safe in their homes, schools or workplaces, and called on the government to act swiftly to guarantee security and workers’ welfare.