Students and the Coalition of Civil Society Organisation (CCSO) yesterday staged a peaceful protest in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, over the current insecurity in the country, especially the abduction of the schoolgirls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

The members of the group, who marched on the venue of this year's Workers’ Day celebration, urged the federal government not to relent in its efforts in rescuing the abductees.

Also, the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) described the rising wave of insecurity in the country as worrisome.

The CCSO used the occasion to present a letter of protest to the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, for onward transmission to President Goodluck Jonathan.

The group equally requested for the president’s intervention in the face-off between the federal government and teachers in polytechnics and colleges of education.

In his address to workers at a rally held to mark the day, the state Chairman of the NLC, Mr. Farouk Akanbi, decried the level of insecurity in Nigeria.

According to him, "Cases of suicide bombing in thickly populated places, guerrilla warfare and massacre of communities, farmers and herdsmen clashes, slaughtering of innocent school pupils, abduction of over 200 schoolgirls, armed robbery, kidnap for ransom, rape of underage girls, ritual killings call for serious concern. It appears neither solution nor respite is in sight."

In his speech, Ahmed said the reduction in funds from the Federation Accounts to states had affected the ability of governors to effectively implement their policies.
He added that despite this "we have ensured regular payment of workers' salaries and met other vital commitments."