The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Ogun State Government and security agencies, demanding the immediate rescue of the five abducted students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, and decisive action to tackle the growing wave of insecurity across tertiary institutions in the state.
Addressing a press conference, the Secretary General of NANS National Headquarters, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, expressed concern over what he described as the persistent attacks on students, citing incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, cult-related violence and the recent killing of a female student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori.
He noted that students of several higher institutions, including Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic and Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, have continued to face security threats.
NANS alleged that previous attempts to engage security agencies on the worsening situation did not receive the desired response. While commending the Inspector General of Police for deploying an operational aircraft to support rescue operations and appreciating the Ogun State Governor for facilitating the intervention, the association insisted that those responsible for attacks on students must be arrested and prosecuted without delay.
The students’ body warned that failure to meet its demands within the stipulated 72 hours would trigger sustained peaceful mass protests across Ogun State. Among its demands are strengthened security around campuses, increased patrols, permanent security posts in vulnerable student communities, and stronger collaboration among institutions, host communities and security agencies to safeguard students.
