The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Nigeria Police Force to urgently stem the rising wave of insecurity across tertiary institutions, following reports of kidnappings, armed robbery attacks and the killing of students in different parts of the country.
The National President of NANS, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, made the call in a statement on Tuesday, urging the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other security agencies to adopt more proactive policing strategies to safeguard students and educational institutions nationwide.
According to Akinteye, three students of the Federal University Lafia were reportedly kidnapped within the last 24 hours, while the female hostel at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, was allegedly invaded by robbers, heightening concerns over the safety of students on campuses.
The renewed call came as the NANS National Secretariat separately condemned the alleged armed robbery attack on student residences in Eruku Community, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, during which a student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, was reportedly killed.
In a statement signed by the NANS Secretary General, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, popularly known as Dan Fodio, the association described the incident as a tragic reminder of the growing security challenges confronting students across Ogun State and Nigeria.
The student body expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, as well as the management, staff and students of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, saying the death of the student was an unacceptable loss and a direct assault on the future of the nation.
NANS called on the Ogun State Police Command under Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni to immediately carry out a thorough, transparent and speedy investigation into the incident and ensure that all those responsible are apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The association also appealed to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to strengthen security around all tertiary institutions and student communities through closer collaboration with security agencies, school managements, local government authorities, traditional institutions and student leaders.
It further urged the management of tertiary institutions across Ogun State to review existing security strategies and work closely with security agencies and student leaders to improve the safety and welfare of students both on and off campus.
Expressing concern over persistent complaints by students regarding insecurity in Eruku Community, the NANS National Secretariat called on the Eleruku of Eruku, Oba Kolawole Edunjobi Adifase, and other community leaders to publicly condemn criminal activities, cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies and ensure that no person involved in attacks against students is shielded from investigation or prosecution.
The association said the traditional institution must demonstrate its commitment to justice, peace and the safety of all residents, particularly students, whose welfare should never be compromised.
As part of measures to protect students, NANS declared what it described as a “state of emergency” in Eruku Community and advised students residing in the area to temporarily vacate the community if they had access to alternative accommodation until the security situation improves and adequate measures are put in place to guarantee the safety of lives and property.
Akinteye said the recent incidents reflected an alarming deterioration in campus security and urged the Inspector General of Police to strengthen security architecture around campuses, host communities, student hostels and access roads.
He stressed that institutions of higher learning should remain centres of learning and innovation, not environments where students live in fear of kidnappers, armed robbers and other violent criminals.
The NANS President called on the Police to intensify intelligence gathering, increase patrols, deploy more personnel to campuses and adjoining communities, and improve emergency response mechanisms to prevent further attacks on students.
According to him, security measures must extend beyond campuses to include off campus residences and surrounding communities where thousands of students live.
He maintained that while NANS appreciates the efforts of security agencies in combating crime, recent incidents underscore the urgent need for preventive policing capable of stopping attacks before they occur rather than merely responding after lives have been lost.
“We want proactive results and more secure campuses across the country,” Akinteye said, insisting that every Nigerian student deserves to pursue education in an environment free from fear, violence and criminal attacks.
