The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged the Federal Government to double funding for security agencies to tackle persistent killings, kidnappings and insurgency across the country.
TUC President, Mr Festus Osifo, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing journalists at the end of the union’s National Administrative Council meeting.
Osifo commended the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Security Adviser for their efforts to combat insecurity and apprehend suspected criminals.
He, however, said the country continued to face serious security challenges, particularly killings and kidnappings in several states, requiring stronger government intervention and increased funding.
“We know as a country that we are still faced with a huge level of insecurity and we are still faced with a huge level of challenges.
“Government should double its effort. Government should double the revenue going into fighting security.
“The protection of life and property should be paramount to any government,” he said.
The TUC president said increased funding would enable security agencies to procure modern equipment and other gadgets needed to effectively confront terrorists, bandits and kidnappers.
According to him, insecurity has persisted for more than a decade, making it difficult to attract foreign investment and discouraging economic activities, particularly farming in affected communities.
Osifo said many farmers had stopped returning to their farms because of insecurity, thereby affecting food production and putting additional pressure on food prices across the country.
“We have proposed at a time as Trade Union Congress of Nigeria that government should even carry out what we call virement of budget to move funds to that area,” he said.
He stressed that while government investments in roads, power and education were important, the protection of lives and property must remain a foremost responsibility.
“We must first of all be alive to enjoy the dividend of the infrastructures, to drive on those roads, to be able to feed and to send our children to school,” Osifo said.
The TUC president also commiserated with the families of Air Force personnel killed in the recent aircraft crash in Ondo State.
He equally condemned the deaths of 37 minors in Niger State and called for decisive action against those responsible.
