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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Disasters & Emergencies

Nigerian students demand rescue of abducted polytechnic students amid rising insecurity

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Nigerian students are demanding the immediate rescue of polytechnic students abducted in Ogun State.
  • The National Association of Nigerian Students condemned the kidnapping, citing it as a sign of worsening insecurity around tertiary institutions.
  • NANS called for enhanced security measures on campuses nationwide and the safe return of the abducted students.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has voiced strong condemnation over the abduction of students from Gateway ICT Polytechnic in Ogun State, Nigeria. NANS President Akinteye Babatunde described the incident as a "disturbing sign of worsening insecurity" affecting tertiary institutions. The student body urged the Federal Government, Ogun State Government, and security agencies to prioritize the immediate rescue of the kidnapped students.

It is unconscionable that, within the space of a few days, two tertiary institutions in the same state have been exposed to a high level of insecurity and violent criminality, leaving the student community in a state of fear and mourning.

— NANSThe student body expressed its grave concern over the recent security breaches affecting students in Ogun State.

This abduction follows closely on the heels of another security breach at D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic in Itori, where a student was killed during a robbery. These "back-to-back incidents" have instilled fear among students in Ogun State, according to NANS.

"It is unconscionable that, within the space of a few days, two tertiary institutions in the same state have been exposed to a high level of insecurity and violent criminality, leaving the student community in a state of fear and mourning," the association stated. NANS emphasized that education should not come at the cost of students' lives, asserting that "the security of students is non-negotiable."

Education is a right, and no student should have to trade their safety for the pursuit of knowledge. We cannot stand idly by while our campuses become dens of kidnapping and all forms of criminality. The security of students is non-negotiable.

— NANSThe association highlighted the fundamental right to education and the non-negotiable need for student safety.

NANS called for the deployment of all available resources by the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigerian Army to ensure the students' safe and unconditional release. Beyond rescue efforts, the association stressed the need for authorities to implement preventative measures to stop similar attacks in the future, stating that repeated assurances after incidents are no longer sufficient. They also advocated for government investment in affordable on-campus accommodation.

Every necessary resource to secure their safe and unconditional release must be deployed, while adequate measures are put in place to forestall similar occurrences in the future.

— NANSNANS urged security agencies to not only rescue the abducted students but also implement preventative measures.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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