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NANS Issues Ogun 72-Hour Deadline to Rescue Abducted Students

August 5, 2026 by admin

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Ogun State Government and security agencies to secure the release of five students abducted from Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, bring to justice those behind the killing of a student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, and address the worsening security situation around tertiary institutions across the state. The students’ body warned that it would embark on sustained peaceful protests across Ogun State if its demands were not met within the stipulated period. NANS also called on the state government to send a high-powered delegation to condole with the family of Ahmed Sekinat, the D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic student killed during a robbery attack, and visit another student receiving treatment for gunshot injuries at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta. The demands were made on Wednesday during a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Abeokuta by the Secretary-General of NANS, Oladimeji Uthman, popularly known as “Dan Fodio.” According to him, students across Ogun tertiary institutions now live in fear because of persistent cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, cult violence, rape and other criminal activities. Also present at the briefing were the President of the Students’ Union Government of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Akinpelu Timothy; Olabisi Onabanjo University Students’ Union President, Kehinde Bamgbose; Okunuga Opeyemi of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, and other student leaders. Uthman said, “The recent abduction of five students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, the killing of a female student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, and repeated armed robbery attacks around Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, and Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo, underscore the worsening security situation in the state. “For far too long, students have continued to live in fear. The safety of lives and property on and around our campuses has been grossly threatened by armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, cult-related violence and other criminal activities. Students can no longer move freely, attend lectures or return to their hostels without fear of attack.” The NANS scribe lamented that previous attempts by the association to engage security agencies through strategic meetings yielded no result, alleging that the agencies ignored invitations extended by the students’ body. “It is deeply regrettable that despite the growing insecurity across off-campus hostels in our tertiary institutions, the National Association of Nigerian Students wrote to all heads of security agencies in the state requesting a strategic meeting to discuss practical and lasting solutions. “Regrettably, these requests were not honoured. This refusal to engage with the legitimate representatives of Nigerian students has frustrated genuine efforts aimed at finding collaborative solutions while students continue to suffer armed robbery attacks, kidnappings, violent assaults and loss of lives,” he said. Uthman, however, commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for deploying an operational police aircraft to strengthen security operations in the state, noting that the move would enhance aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering and rescue efforts. He stressed that more decisive action was needed. “Consequently, NANS issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Ogun State Government, the Ogun State Police Command, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other relevant security agencies to rescue the abducted students, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the murder of the D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic student and bring all perpetrators of violent attacks against students to justice. “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 actions and statewide protests until justice is served and adequate security is guaranteed for every student in Ogun State,” he said. To improve security, NANS called for increased patrols around campuses, the establishment of permanent security posts in vulnerable student communities, 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 an Ogun Security Agencies–Student Leaders Relations Forum. Uthman described the planned protest as peaceful and urged students’ unions, labour groups, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support the campaign against insecurity in tertiary institutions. The ultimatum comes amid a series of security 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 a robbery attack in the Eruku community, while another student sustained gunshot injuries and is receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta. Similarly, the Students’ Union of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, recently announced the abduction of five students from a private hostel in Ipara Remo, Remo North Local Government Area. The Ogun State Police Command said it had activated tactical units to ensure the safe rescue of the victims after the incident, which occurred on the night of July 29, 2026.

NANS Backs NLC, NUT Protests Demanding Rescue of Abducted Students

June 4, 2026 by admin

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has reiterated its resolve to ensure the rescue of abducted students and teachers nationwide, expressing support for the advocacy campaign led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to secure their safe release. NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde, stated this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, amid growing concerns over the safety of students and education workers following recent abductions in parts of the country. Akinteye said the student body remained focused on ensuring that all abducted students and teachers regain their freedom, stressing that NANS would continue to engage relevant authorities and mobilise support for efforts geared towards their rescue. According to him, the association identifies with the concerns raised by organised labour, particularly the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, over the recurring incidents of kidnapping targeting schools and education personnel. “The safety of students and teachers must remain a national priority. NANS will continue to support every legitimate effort aimed at securing the release of those in captivity and preventing future occurrences,” he said. The NANS president said the recent wave of attacks on schools and education workers has created fear among students and parents, warning that insecurity could undermine access to education if urgent action is not taken. “Education cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear. When students are afraid to go to school and teachers are uncertain of their safety, the future of the country is placed at risk. This is why all stakeholders must unite to confront this challenge,” he said. Akinteye added that NANS would continue to work with labour unions, parents, community leaders and security agencies to sustain pressure on the government until the abductees are rescued. “We commend the NLC and the NUT for standing up for the rights and safety of teachers and students. Their advocacy has helped draw national attention to the plight of the victims and the urgent need for stronger protection of schools,” he stated. While reaffirming support for the ongoing campaign, Akinteye stressed that the association’s primary concern remains the welfare of the victims rather than political considerations. “This is not the time for division or grandstanding. Our concern is the safe return of every abducted child and teacher. We must keep the focus on the victims and their families who are going through immense pain and uncertainty,” he said. The NANS president, however, distanced the association from groups he described as politically affiliated, insisting that the campaign for the rescue of abducted children should not be used as a platform for partisan interests. “We welcome support from all well-meaning Nigerians, but we believe advocacy on issues as sensitive as the lives of students and teachers must be driven by sincerity, responsibility and a genuine commitment to national interest,” he said. Akinteye also dismissed reports questioning his studentship status, describing the claims as false and reiterating that he remains a bona fide student of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology. He urged media organisations to uphold professional standards by verifying information before publication, noting that misinformation could distract from the urgent task of addressing insecurity in schools. “We will continue to defend the interests of Nigerian students andightened hat attention remains on the plight of abducted students and teachers. Our priority is their safe return and the protection of educational institutions across the country,” he added. “We are calling on the Federal Government, security agencies and relevant authorities to act swiftly and decisively. Every day spent in captivity is another day of trauma for the victims and their families. The rescue of these children and teachers must be treated as a matter of national urgency,” he added. The statement comes amid heightened concerns over the security of schools following the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage and renewed calls for stronger measures to protect learning institutions. In response to the abduction, the Nigeria Union of Teachers directed its members to embark on a nationwide strike, citing growing insecurity and the need for urgent government action to safeguard teachers and pupils. The action received the backing of the Nigeria Labour Congress, which expressed solidarity with the teachers and demanded immediate steps to secure the release of those held captive. NANS had earlier mobilised students and stakeholders for advocacy activities in support of the victims, maintaining that the protection of schools and the safety of learners must remain a priority for governments at all levels.

NANS Denies Involvement in #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest

October 16, 2025 by admin

The National Association of Nigerian Students, on Thursday, distanced itself from a planned protest reportedly being organised by activist Omoyele Sowore and his associates, warning Nigerian students nationwide not to be deceived or used by “selfish and politically motivated individuals.” Its President, Olushola Oladoja, who addressed journalists at the Federal Cooperative College in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, described the reports linking the association to the proposed #FreeNnamdiKanu protest scheduled for October 20th as false, misleading, and mischievous. Oladoja, who spoke alongside zonal and campus leaders of the student body, said the national leadership convened the press briefing to “set the record straight” and protect the integrity of NANS from being dragged into political controversies. “We wish to state categorically and unequivocally that NANS is not, and will not be, part of any protest organised or influenced by Sowore or any other politically motivated group or individual. The entire claim is false, mischievous, and designed to drag the name of our noble Association into political controversies that do not align with our mandate as a student body.” He explained that while the association remains committed to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian students, it would not allow its platform to be hijacked by politicians or activists pursuing personal agendas. “NANS believes in rule of law, due process, and peaceful engagement, and will not participate in any agitation relating to the ongoing legal proceedings involving the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. “The matter concerning Kanu is a legal issue before a competent court of law. It would therefore be inappropriate, unlawful, and irresponsible for NANS to mobilise any protest on a matter before the judiciary”, Oladoja said. He accused Sowore and his allies of using NANS’ name to gain credibility for their “politically driven agenda,” emphasising that the students’ body would remain focused on education, youth development, peace, and national unity, not partisan politics. The NANS president, therefore, appealed to parents and guardians across Nigeria to warn their children and wards against joining any protest “sponsored by greedy and self-serving politicians. “These individuals exploit the energy and vulnerability of young people for personal gain while abandoning them when crises erupt,” he said, urging security agencies and the media to disregard any claim that NANS is planning to mobilise for the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest. He reiterated that there is no faction within NANS, stressing that the body remains “one united and legitimate national students’ movement” with a clearly defined structure and leadership. Oladoja also addressed the ongoing face-off between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government, following the lecturers’ two-week warning strike. “We have done our research and seen the problem. We therefore urge ASUU and the Federal Government to reconvene within 72 hours and resolve this dispute. Nigerian students cannot continue to suffer for issues they did not create. “NANS remains a united, law-abiding, and patriotic association committed to the peace, progress, and prosperity of Nigeria. We will continue to champion the interests of students through constructive engagement, not chaos or politically induced protests,” he stated. Historically, NANS has been a powerful force in the nation’s socio-political discourse, known for organising massive protests that have successfully pressured the government on key issues. Given Nigeria’s vast youth population, its endorsement or opposition carries significant weight. It is against this backdrop of its influential history that NANS’s decision to publicly distance itself from the planned #FreeNnamdiKanu protest. The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra is a sensitive legal and political matter. By explicitly rejecting any association with the protest, NANS aims to protect its institutional integrity and avoid being drawn into a contentious controversy that falls outside its core mandate.

NANS urges FG to probe non-payment of N77,000 corps members’ allowance.

March 3, 2025 by admin

The National Association of Nigerian Students has called on the Federal Government to investigate the National Youth Service Corps over the non-payment of the newly approved N77,000 monthly allowance for corps members. NANS expressed disappointment that months after the Federal Government approved the increase from N33,000 to N77,000—effective July 2024—the NYSC has yet to implement the payment. The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, stated that the new allowance was not implemented due to the non-release of funds. NANS in a statement by its National Vice President, Inter-Campus Affairs, Felicia Akinbodunse, on Sunday, justified the call for the probe of the NYSC for failure to commence payment of the new corps monthly allowance by the end of February as promised by the Director-General of the Corps. She wondered what delayed the payment after the official announcement by Yushua that corps members would start receiving the N77,000 in February 2025. According to her, findings by her office revealed that corps members received only N33,000 for their February allowance last Friday, against N70,000 promised by the NYSC DG. Akinbodunse noted that the FG and many state governments have since begun to pay their workers the new minimum wage of N70,000, adding that the NYSC has no justification to withhold the payment of the approved allowance to corps members. She pointed out that it would amount to gross injustice on the part of corps members to still be receiving old allowance months after approval and implementation by the Federal Government. While calling on the NYSC to give reasons behind the failure to implement the payment of the N77,000 corps monthly allowance, she insisted that the FG should investigate the matter to determine the cause of the delay. She added that the failure to pay the new allowance to corps members could dampen their morale, especially in the face of the economic situation in the country. Akinbodunse, however, submitted that “the leadership of the student body would equally interface with the NYSC to find out why corps members are yet to benefit from the new minimum wage of N77,000, even when staff of the NYSC are receiving the increase in pay from the Federal Government.” Punch

NANS Issues Ogun 72-Hour Deadline to Rescue Abducted Students

NANS Backs NLC, NUT Protests Demanding Rescue of Abducted Students

NANS Denies Involvement in #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest

NANS urges FG to probe non-payment of N77,000 corps members’ allowance.

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