The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Ogun State Government and security agencies, demanding the rescue of five students abducted from Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, the arrest of those responsible for the killing of a student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, and urgent action to address worsening insecurity around tertiary institutions across the state.
The association warned that failure to meet its demands within the stipulated period would trigger sustained peaceful demonstrations across Ogun State.
NANS also called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to send an official delegation to sympathize with the family of Ahmed Sekinat, the student who was killed during a robbery attack, and to visit another student receiving treatment for gunshot injuries at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.
The demands were presented during a press briefing held on Wednesday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Abeokuta by the Secretary-General of NANS, Oladimeji Uthman, popularly known as Dan Fodio.
He was joined by several student leaders, including the Students’ Union Government President of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Akinpelu Timothy; Olabisi Onabanjo University Students’ Union President, Kehinde Bamgbose; D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic representative, Okunuga Opeyemi; and other union officials.
Uthman said students across Ogun’s tertiary institutions now face constant threats from kidnappers, armed robbers, cult groups and other criminal elements, making campus life increasingly unsafe.
He cited the abduction of five Gateway ICT Polytechnic students, the killing of a female student at D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, and recurring robbery attacks around Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro and Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic as evidence of a growing security crisis.
According to him, many students now fear attending lectures, returning to their hostels or moving around their campuses because of persistent attacks.
He also criticized security agencies for failing to engage with student representatives despite repeated efforts by NANS to initiate discussions on improving campus security.
Uthman disclosed that the association had written to major security agencies in Ogun State requesting strategic meetings to develop practical solutions to the security challenges confronting students, but those invitations were ignored.
He described the lack of response as disappointing, arguing that it had undermined opportunities for collaboration while students continued to suffer kidnappings, robberies and violent attacks.
Despite the criticism, the NANS leader praised Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and Governor Abiodun for deploying a police operational aircraft to strengthen security operations in Ogun State, noting that the move would improve surveillance, intelligence gathering and rescue missions.
However, he insisted that more decisive measures were required to guarantee the safety of students.
The association demanded the immediate rescue of the abducted Gateway ICT Polytechnic students, the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the murder of the D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic student, and the identification and prosecution of all individuals involved in violent attacks against students across the state.
NANS warned that if these demands were not met within 72 hours, it would mobilize students for peaceful protests across Ogun State until concrete action was taken.
To improve security around campuses, the association proposed increased police patrols in student communities, the establishment of permanent security posts in vulnerable areas, deployment of the Ogun State Anti-Violent Crime Team to tertiary institutions, stronger collaboration among school authorities, host communities and security agencies, and the creation of a standing forum that would facilitate regular engagement between security agencies and student leaders.
Uthman appealed to students’ unions, labour organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders to support the campaign for safer campuses, stressing that the planned protests would remain peaceful.
The ultimatum follows a series of violent incidents involving students in Ogun State. On July 27, an HND II Marketing student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, was shot dead during an armed robbery attack in the Eruku community, while another student sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.
Days later, five students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, were abducted from a private hostel in Ipara Remo, Remo North Local Government Area.
Following the incident, the Ogun State Police Command said it had deployed tactical teams and intensified operations to secure the release of the kidnapped students and apprehend those behind the attack.
