The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has thrown its weight behind tougher measures against terrorism and banditry, endorsing calls for the death penalty for convicted terrorists while commending the Department of State Services (DSS) for intensifying arrests and prosecutions of criminal elements across the country.

TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, said the ongoing crackdown by security agencies was sending a strong message to terrorists, bandits and other violent criminals that impunity would no longer be tolerated.

According to him, arresting and prosecuting those responsible for attacks on communities and the loss of innocent lives is critical to restoring public confidence in the nation's security architecture.

“When they are arrested and prosecuted, the bad guys get the clear message,” Osifo said.

The labour leader also endorsed the position of the DSS leadership that terrorists and bandits whose actions have resulted in the deaths of citizens should face the death penalty.

He argued that severe punishment for convicted offenders would serve as a powerful deterrent and discourage others from engaging in violent crimes.

“When that is done, the other bad guys will know it is no longer business as usual,” he stated.

Osifo urged the DSS not to relent in its efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating across the country, stressing that Nigerians must remain objective in assessing government actions.

“When government does wrong things, we condemn them. When they do positive things, we are also duty-bound to commend,” he added.

The TUC president further praised the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, for what he described as ongoing reforms within the Service, while calling for greater efforts to address the country’s lingering security challenges.

His comments come amid renewed security operations targeting terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and economic sabotage across several parts of the country.

DSS Expands Crackdown on Oil Theft Syndicates

Meanwhile, the DSS has intensified its campaign against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, arraigning two additional suspects allegedly linked to a syndicate involved in illegal oil bunkering activities in Akwa Ibom State.

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The latest development brings the number of suspects currently facing prosecution in connection with the case to 19.

The suspects, identified as Arepade Dominic Ekprese and Benson Ekiokekeme Innocent, were arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting on Fulga Road in Uyo.

However, the court declined jurisdiction over the matter, ruling that the case falls within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

Despite the ruling, the Magistrate ordered that both suspects be remanded at the Uyo Medium Security Correctional Facility for an initial period of 21 days pending further legal proceedings.

Security sources disclosed that the arrests stemmed from an intelligence-led operation conducted on April 9, 2026, by the Joint Task Force South-South under Operation Delta Safe.

The operation reportedly uncovered a major crude oil theft network allegedly siphoning petroleum products from facilities operated by an international oil company in Akwa Ibom State.

During the raid, security operatives arrested 26 crew members and impounded two motorised tankers, MT WESTAF and MT MKPODU, which were allegedly caught in the act of illegally loading crude oil from an offshore platform.

Authorities said 17 of the suspects, alongside the seized vessels, had earlier been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Uyo and were subsequently remanded in custody pending the continuation of the trial in September.

According to security officials, the ongoing anti-crude oil theft campaign forms part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to protect critical national assets and boost crude oil production.

The government believes curbing large-scale oil theft will help increase daily crude output, improve revenue generation and strengthen Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings at a time when the country is seeking to stabilise its economy.

The latest arrests underscore the growing focus of security agencies on tackling both violent crimes and economic sabotage, with authorities insisting that individuals found guilty of undermining national security or the economy will face the full weight of the law.