The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Ogun State Government, demanding the immediate rescue of students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, who were abducted.
The ultimatum was announced on Wednesday during a press conference in Abeokuta by the Secretary-General of NANS, Oladimeji Uthman.
Uthman also called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killing of Sekinat Ahmed, an HND II student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, who was killed during a robbery attack in Eruku community on July 27.
He warned that the students’ body would embark on a statewide protest if its demands were not met within the 72-hour deadline.
“Failure to meet these demands within the stipulated 72 hours will leave the national students’ body with no option but to commence sustained peaceful mass action and a statewide protest.
“This will continue until justice is served and adequate security is guaranteed for every student in Ogun State,” Uthman said.
The briefing was attended by student leaders from Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Olabisi Onabanjo University, D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, and other student union representatives.
Uthman expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnappings, robberies and violent attacks affecting students around tertiary institutions in Ogun State, describing the trend as unacceptable.
He, however, commended the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for deploying an operational police aircraft to strengthen security across the state.
According to him, the deployment is expected to improve surveillance, intelligence gathering and rescue operations aimed at securing the release of the abducted students.
NANS also demanded increased security patrols, the establishment of permanent security posts around vulnerable campuses, and the deployment of the Ogun Anti-Violent Crime Team to areas considered high-risk.
The association further called for stronger collaboration between tertiary institutions, host communities, security agencies and student leaders to enhance campus safety.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command said it has intensified efforts to rescue the abducted students.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, stated that police tactical teams and other security agencies launched a coordinated operation immediately after receiving the distress report.
He added that intelligence assets have been deployed to facilitate the safe rescue of the victims and ensure that those responsible for the abduction are apprehended and brought to justice…..See more