The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has intensified pressure on security agencies and education authorities over the growing wave of robbery attacks and insecurity affecting students across major tertiary institutions in Ogun State, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum for decisive intervention.
The warning follows mounting complaints from students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, and Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade (GAPOSA), where repeated incidents of robbery and harassment have heightened fears among students living on and off campus.
In a statement issued by its National Secretary-General, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, the NANS National Secretariat condemned what it described as persistent criminal attacks targeting students, warning that the continued deterioration of security around the institutions could disrupt academic activities and endanger lives.
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According to the student body, students should be concentrating on examinations and academic work rather than living under constant fear because of inadequate security measures.
“NANS National stands in unwavering solidarity with the leadership and students of TASFUED. We affirm that the safety, welfare and security of Nigerian students remain non-negotiable.”
The association consequently issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the managements of the affected institutions, the Nigeria Police Force, relevant government authorities and host communities to implement visible security measures capable of restoring confidence among students.
NANS said it expects immediate deployment of increased security patrols, enhanced surveillance, intelligence-driven operations and concrete assurances that campuses and surrounding communities will become safer.
“We refuse to wait until innocent students become casualties before decisive action is taken. The protection of students’ lives and property must begin now.”
It added that failure to respond within the stipulated period would force the national student body to activate lawful democratic actions to defend the welfare and security of Nigerian students.
The latest warning comes days after the Ogun State Joint Campus Council of NANS separately raised concerns over worsening insecurity around the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Adimado Ahmed, the council said increasing reports of robbery, harassment and other security breaches had created anxiety among students and threatened the institution’s peaceful learning environment.
The council appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the management of the polytechnic and other stakeholders to strengthen patrols around student hostels and vulnerable locations, improve intelligence gathering and ensure that suspects involved in criminal activities are arrested and prosecuted.
Ahmed also urged residents of Ilaro, landlords, business owners, community leaders and students to collaborate with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements capable of preventing criminal elements from operating freely within the town.
Students were equally advised to avoid unnecessary late-night movements, remain vigilant and make use of the Gateway Shield App to report emergencies and security threats for prompt response.
The concerns raised by NANS come against the backdrop of growing nationwide anxiety over security around higher institutions, with student unions in different parts of Nigeria repeatedly calling for stronger policing of campus communities, especially during examination periods when students often study late into the night.
Attention will now be on the Ogun State Government, security agencies and the managements of the affected institutions to determine whether concrete measures will be introduced before the expiration of the 48-hour deadline announced by the national student body.
