From Khalid Idris Doya, Bauchi
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Bauchi State Council, has expressed deep concern over the worsening insecurity across the country, especially in the Northern part of Nigeria, stating that nearly three years into the current administration, the situation has remained largely unresolved.
The union lamented the persistent reports of brutal attacks, killings, and kidnappings, noting that citizens are increasingly left at the mercy of criminals, terrorists, and bandits who continue to unleash violence on communities, villages, and even urban centres.
The NLC State chairperson, Comrade Dauda M. Shuaibu, made this known on Friday during the 2026 International Workers’ Day celebration held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, jointly organised by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) under the theme “Insecurity and Poverty: The Bane of Decent Work.”
Shuaibu stressed that the protection of lives and property remains a constitutional responsibility of the government, urging leaders at all levels to prioritise security.
He, however, commended Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, for his proactive approach to security, noting that the state government has made significant efforts in curbing the infiltration of bandits and terrorists.
“This year’s May Day comes at a very difficult time when insecurity, especially in Northern Nigeria, has reached alarming levels, while the economic situation remains unfavourable to workers and ordinary citizens,” he said.
The NLC also criticised recent economic policies of the federal government, including the removal of fuel subsidy, increased electricity tariffs, floating of the naira, and rising costs of farm inputs, saying they have further destabilised the economy.
According to Shuaibu, the development has forced citizens and businesses to seek alternative means of survival, as many small and medium enterprises struggle under the burden of high energy costs and poor power supply.
He further criticised the federal government’s continued borrowing, arguing that the removal of fuel subsidy has not translated into improved revenue or reduced debt.
“From our assessment of the economy since last year, there has been no significant improvement. The cost of living continues to rise, and there are growing concerns about uneven distribution of infrastructure and resources across regions,” he added.
In his remarks, Governor Bala Mohammed said insecurity and poverty not only threaten livelihoods but also undermine productivity, dignity, and the overall well-being of workers.
Represented by his deputy, Muhammad Auwal Jatau, the governor urged workers in both public and private sectors to reflect on their roles in addressing the nation’s challenges.
He emphasised that nation-building requires resilience, discipline, and collective responsibility.
“We must continue to work together to overcome these challenges and build a more secure, resilient, and prosperous society,” he said.
The governor also highlighted the importance of the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration, describing it as an opportunity to recognise the invaluable contributions of workers to socio-economic development.
He noted that the theme of this year’s celebration is timely and calls for urgent and collective action to address insecurity and poverty.
Mohammed added that his administration would continue to collaborate with security agencies and community stakeholders to strengthen peace and stability across the state.
“We recognise that no meaningful development can take place without security. I urge all citizens to see security as a collective responsibility, if you see something, say something,” he said.
