The #EndBadGovernance Movement and a coalition of civil society organisations have called for a 48-hour nationwide strike and mass protests in response to the growing wave of insecurity and kidnappings across Nigeria.
The groups made the call during a press briefing in Abuja ahead of the June 12 Democracy Day celebrations, urging citizens to demand stronger action from government authorities. They also called for the immediate release of schoolchildren, teachers, and other victims currently being held captive by kidnappers and armed groups.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Comrade Michael Adaramoye accused the government of failing in its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property. He said the worsening security situation has left many communities vulnerable and requires urgent intervention.
The coalition demanded the establishment of community-based security committees in all local government areas to complement the efforts of existing security agencies and improve grassroots intelligence gathering.
In addition, the groups called for a transparent public investigation into security votes and related expenditures at both the federal and state levels. According to them, funds allocated for security must be properly monitored and accounted for to ensure effectiveness.
The coalition also appealed to organised labour and trade unions to support the proposed strike and planned demonstrations, arguing that economic hardship, unemployment, and poverty are major factors fueling insecurity across the country.
The groups maintained that tackling Nigeria’s security challenges goes beyond military operations, stressing that sustainable solutions must include investments in education, job creation, and poverty reduction programmes.
They urged government authorities to take immediate and decisive steps to address the nation’s security crisis and restore public confidence in governance.