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 abducted students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, arrest those responsible for the killing of a student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, and address the growing wave of insecurity across tertiary institutions in the state.
The ultimatum was announced on Wednesday during a press conference addressed by the Secretary General of NANS National Headquarters, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, popularly known as “Dan Fodio.”
NANS warned that failure by the authorities to meet its demands within the stipulated period would compel the national students’ body to embark on sustained peaceful mass protests across Ogun State until justice is served and adequate security is guaranteed for students.
The association described the security situation around campuses as alarming, citing incidents of armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, cult-related violence and other criminal activities that have left many students living in fear.
According to NANS, the recent abduction of five students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade (GAPOSA), the killing of a female student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, and recurring armed robbery attacks around Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED), Ijebu-Ode, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro (FPI), and Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic (AAP), Ijebu-Igbo, underscore the worsening insecurity confronting students across the state.
The students’ body noted that the incidents were not isolated, stressing that students of several tertiary institutions in Ogun State had, at different times, been victims of armed robbery, violent attacks, kidnappings and threats to their lives.
NANS disclosed that before the recent incidents, it had written to the heads of security agencies in Ogun State requesting a strategic meeting to discuss practical and lasting solutions to the growing insecurity affecting campuses and off-campus student communities.
It, however, expressed disappointment that the requests were allegedly ignored.
“The refusal to engage with the legitimate representatives of Nigerian students is a clear indication that the lives and properties of students are not receiving the attention they deserve.
This indifference has frustrated genuine efforts aimed at finding collaborative solutions while students continue to suffer attacks, kidnappings and loss of lives,” the association stated.
Despite its criticism, NANS commended the Inspector-General of Police for the prompt deployment of an operational police aircraft to support ongoing security operations in Ogun State, particularly efforts to rescue the abducted Gateway ICT Polytechnic students.
The association also lauded Governor Dapo Abiodun for facilitating the deployment, describing the move as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
According to NANS, the deployment of the aircraft would strengthen aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering and rapid response operations against criminal elements operating in the state.
The association consequently gave the Ogun State Government, the Ogun State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other relevant security agencies 72 hours, effective Wednesday, August 5, 2026, to secure the unconditional release of the abducted students, arrest and prosecute those behind the killing of the D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic student, and bring all perpetrators of campus-related crimes to justice.
It explained that the planned peaceful protest is intended to draw the attention of the state government, the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the DSS, the NSCDC, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to the deteriorating security situation confronting students.
Among its demands, NANS called for speedy investigation, arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of attacks against students, strengthening of security architecture around tertiary institutions, increased security patrols and intelligence gathering around campuses, and the establishment of permanent security posts in vulnerable student communities.
The association also urged the Ogun State Government to send a high-powered delegation to condole with the family of the late Ahmed Sekinat, the D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic student reportedly killed during a robbery attack, as well as visit another student currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, after sustaining gunshot injuries during the incident.
Other demands include the immediate deployment of the Ogun State Anti-Violent Crime Team to tertiary institutions and student communities, stronger collaboration among school authorities, host communities, traditional rulers and security agencies, and the establishment of an Ogun Security Agencies-Student Leaders Relations Forum.
NANS appealed to Students’ Union Governments, its structures nationwide, staff unions including ASUU, ASUP, COEASU and NASU, the Nigeria Labour Congress, civil society organisations, youth groups and other stakeholders to support the planned peaceful protest.
“The time to act is now. Education cannot thrive under fear. Nigerian students deserve to learn in a safe and secure environment,” the association declared.
