•Mahmuda terrorist group
The two labour centres, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have raised the alarm that a new terrorist group, ‘Mahmuda’, is gradually building up in the Middle Belt of Nigeria.
Presidents of NLC and TUC, Comrades Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo, respectively, raised the alarm yesterday in a joint address delivered at the 2025 May Day festivities held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, with the theme, ‘Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship’, reports Daily Independent.
Ajaero regretted that as workers observed the 2025 May Day, our nation is beset by daunting challenges that threaten not only our democracy but the very fabric of our collective existence.
According to him, the worsening ethnic tensions, the alarming state of insecurity, the unchecked impunity in governance, and the blatant disregard for constitutional and democratic principles have cast a dark shadow over our nation.
He noted that it is evident that when governments and their institutions implement policies that uphold the dignity, unity, and aspirations of the people, they strengthen democracy and reinforce governance structures.
“When they fail to do so, democracy is weakened, institutions become compromised, and crisis looms,” the NLC president stated in the address.
Buttressing his claims of insecurity, he said the killings around the country, Uromi, Eha Amufu, Adani, Ondo, Owo, Zamfara, Bokkos and Riyom in Plateau State, Benue and Kebbi states and the unchecked kidnappings around the country continue to imperil our nation.
“It bears testimony to the failure of the government to perform its basic duty to its citizens who elected them into office.
“The number one duty of the federal government is to ensure the safety of lives and property. The government must step up and fulfill its constitutional obligations to the citizens instead of these constant lamentations.
“As we speak, we hear of the emergence of new terrorist group named Mahmuda sect in Middle Belt. This calls for serious attention. We must approach the insecurity situation as a country in war”.
Both labour centres also insisted that the choices we make today will define our nation for generations to come.
Labour warned that we must choose between facing the realities before us with courage and wisdom or continuing in denial while our country edges towards the abyss.
“Warning signs and red flags are all over the place. If we do not address these systemic failures, we risk descending into a state where the rule of law is replaced by the rule of might, and where governance is determined not by democratic principles but by brute force.
“Comrades, the time to act is now. Those who occupy positions of leadership must recognise that true leadership is about service, humility, and inclusivity. It is about building bridges, not walls.
The future of our nation depends on their willingness to govern with a sense of justice and fairness.
The executive, the legislature and the judiciary must maintain their independence and act separately for the good of our nation.
“As workers and as citizens, we must also remain vigilant and resolute in our demand for accountability.
Our voices must not be silenced, and our resolve must not waver. We owe it to ourselves, to our children, and to the generations yet unborn to stand up for the values of democracy, equity, and justice.
“We fought for this democracy and paid the highest price to chase the military and their cohorts back to the barracks.
Doing nothing should not be an option but calling for a constructive engagement and building the needed coalition to rid our nation of the malaise that have held it down is important.
People are elected into public office to serve and not to plunder. Our nation and its people must be protected,” NLC and TUC noted.
