Today, in my capacity as the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and in furtherance of our advocacy for the immediate rescue and safe return of the abducted students and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, I led a delegation of NANS to the Oyo State Police Headquarters, where we met with the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji.
I strongly condemned the heinous abduction of our students and teachers. I stressed that their continued captivity compelled me to temporarily relocate the NANS Headquarters to Oyo State. I briefed the Commissioner of Police that our visit to the state was aimed at engaging the government and security agencies, as well as commiserating with the families of the victims and visiting the affected schools.
I further stated that NANS is an ideology-driven organization with a clear mandate to represent and advance the collective interests of Nigerian students. We are fully aware of the responsibility we shoulder, and we operate with a well-defined modus operandi that is neither impulsive nor unilateral.
Going forward, I commended the efforts and sacrifices of the security operatives while appealing to them to intensify their efforts toward the immediate rescue and safe return of the abducted students and teachers. I also urged them to strengthen security across our campuses and educational institutions.
In my address, I stated:
"We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident. However, we cannot afford to allow these terrorists to win. Therefore, this has become a collective struggle for all of us. At the same time, we must not place undue pressure on our security operatives in a manner that would make these criminals believe they have overwhelmed the system. This is not the time for blame-shifting but a time for unity, collaboration, and collective action to bring an end to this tragedy."
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police acknowledged the current leadership of NANS as truly ideology-driven and noted that we have demonstrated a high level of maturity and responsibility. He stressed that we are at a critical juncture where all stakeholders must support the security agencies to ensure the immediate rescue and safe return of the abducted students and teachers. He further stated that this is not a time to exploit the situation for political gain, emphasizing that journalism and activism serve different purposes.
He assured us of the commitment and ongoing efforts of the security agencies to secure the immediate rescue and safe return of the abducted students and teachers, noting that they share in our pain and grief as parents and citizens.
Furthermore, he assured us that, despite the challenges, the security operatives would do everything within their capacity to ensure that Nigerians are not disappointed.
As President of NANS, I wish to assure Nigerian students that their mandate remains safe in my hands, and I will never compromise on my responsibility to protect and advance their interests.
Viva Aluta!
Thank you.
Yours in solidarity,
Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS
President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)
NANS NATIONAL DIRECTOR TRAVEL AND EXCHANGE CONDEMNS THE ABDUCTION OF STUDENTS IN NIGERIA PARTICULARLY SEVEN STUDENTS OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC IN ZAMFARA STATE
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Office of the National Director, Travels and Exchange (DTE) under the watch of His Excellency, Hon. Comr. Akinteye Afeez (Babtee) unequivocally condemns in the strongest terms the abduction of our seven students of Federal Polytechnic Zamfara State, by criminal elements.
This reprehensible act constitutes a grave assault on the right to education, personal liberty, and the security of Nigerian students. The recurrence of such incidents within our institutions of learning is unacceptable and portends dire consequences for the future of education in Zamfara State and Nigeria at large.
In light of this unfortunate development, NANS office of the Director Travel and Exchange demands and recommends the following;
1. Government at the national, state, and local levels must collaborate in a coordinated and deliberate synergy to decisively terminate this cycle of abductions. Fragmented and disjointed responses have proven ineffectual. A unified security and policy framework is imperative to restore order and public confidence.
2. Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and community watch structures, must fortify their operational structures and intelligence mechanisms. They must operate in seamless collaboration to ensure the immediate, safe, and unconditional release and repatriation of the abducted students to their respective families and academic pursuits.
3. NANS stands in absolute solidarity with the abducted victims and their families. We shall remain resolute and unwavering in advocacy and support until the students are safely reunited in their respective homes and institutions. The welfare and safety of Nigerian students remain non-negotiable.
4. The Zamfara State Government should, as a matter of urgent public importance, deploy adequate and proactive security architecture to all schools within the state, particularly within the affected axis and other vulnerable educational corridors. The protection of students and academic infrastructure must be prioritized as a cardinal responsibility of government.
5. All Zamfara state and the entire Nigerian within and off campuses should remain vigilant and report any suspicious act in order to fight against such menace.
Moreover, we reiterates our commitment to the protection of students rights and the sanctity of learning environments. We expect immediate and decisive action from your administration to ameliorate the plight of the victims and forestall future occurrences.
While we await your prompt intervention, please accept the assurances of our highest consideration.
Comr. Abdulganiyyu Shehu Dalhatu,
National Director, Travels and Exchange
National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS)
OUR APPEAL
1. We respectfully call on His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State,
to intensify efforts and mobilize all available resources towards ensuring the safe
return of the abducted students.
2. We urge the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), NSCDC,
the Military, and other security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and
rescue operations to facilitate the prompt and safe release of the affected
students.
3. We appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria to continue prioritizing the
security of students and educational institutions, particularly in areas affected by
security challenges.
4. We call for enhanced security measures around tertiary institutions, student
residences, and surrounding communities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
5. We encourage the management of Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda to maintain
close collaboration with security agencies and provide all necessary support towards
securing the freedom of the students.
CC:
- His Excellency, Dauda Lawan Dare, The Executive Governor of Zamfara State.
- The Honourable Commissioner of Education, Zamfara State
- The Commissioner Police, Nigeria Police Force Zamfara State Command
- The State Director, Department of State Services (DSS)
- The Rector Federal Polytechnic, Zamfara State
- NANS JCC Zamfara State
- All SUGs Presidents
- All Media House