The Nigeria Labour Congress is deeply saddened by another bomb blast at Nyanya, Abuja, which has left about 19 persons dead and several others injured. As was the case in the first bomb blast at Nyanya, the majority of the victims were workers on a day they were celebrating the May Day.
It Is evident that terrorists are taking advantage of the state of our unpreparedness, our weak infrastructure and our chaotic life style to unleash mayhem. How else could one explain the successful strike of terrorists at two bus stops opposite each other within a space of two weeks? Clearly, our security agencies have not done enough to prevent another attack, in spite of claims by the Police after the first blast that they were on top of the situation.
We are worried not because workers have been the main victims in these Abuja attacks. We are worried by the fact that after the initial public show of force, nothing substantial has been done by way of public education, security and public infrastructure upgrade, among other security measures. Neither has there been any sign of a coherent people-oriented strategy to pre-empt or respond to new attacks.
The only response was the blockage of the access road to the city centre by our security forces, making life extremely difficult for workers and other commuters.We therefore consider it a slap on the face of our country that this is happening again. With this second blast, our security forces ought to have some clue about the source(s) of this bombs. We also reiterate the need to properly equip our security forces as our personnel cannot work with empty hands. In this war, platitudes, wild allegations and hunches alone are not enough. We hold the view that our security forces have to be inventive, proactive and more focused.
As at this moment, they need more brain than brawn. We also believe that security has to be built around people by making them feel and believe that this is all about them. The notion that security is unnecessarily secretive or cultish is anachronistic and way out of tune with modern realities , especially in a war of this nature. With the notice served on the government by Boko Haram that they are in Abuja to stay, no one should deceive themselves that the attacks will end with prayers or with the wave of the hand.
Thus, we urge our personnel to involve the local people, set set up network Centres as well as rapid response camps, especially in crowded and vulnerable areas. The attacks in the suburbs, we dare say, may be a prelude to more sinister strikes. Accordingly, we invite our security personnel to be up and doing in securing public places, especially. We have noticed with dismay most car parks are unprotected and are littered with unserviceable vehicles. Those who run it are more concerned with revenue than the lives of Nigerians.
Like other privileged Nigerians, we demand protection for our members at home, at work and on the road. They too are bonafide citizens. The present attacks on them are direct attacks on productivity and the development of our economy. Once again we wish to express our grief, dismay and anger. We commensurate with families who lost persons in this murderous act, and urge the Nigerian people not to despair in spite of the vileness of these attacks. We shall overcome.
Chris Uyot
Acting General Secretary
Nigeria Labour Congress
