NANS Demands Swift Rescue of Abducted Ogun Poly Students

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the abduction of five students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State, describing the incident as a disturbing indication of the worsening security situation around tertiary institutions.

In a statement by its President, Akinteye Babatunde, on Friday, July 31, the student body called on the Federal Government, Ogun State Government and security agencies to ensure the immediate rescue of the abducted students and strengthen security across campuses.

According to NANS, the students were kidnapped after armed men attacked a private hostel along Paraga Road, Ipara, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

The association noted that the incident came just days after another security breach at D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, where an HND II student, Miss Ahmed Sekinat, was killed and several others injured during a robbery attack.

READ ALSO: ICYMI: NANS President Says NELFUND Upkeep Payments Being Released

Describing the latest attack as unacceptable, NANS said the recurrence of violent crimes targeting students in Ogun State had thrown the academic community into fear and grief.

The association said, “As the apex leadership of Nigerian students, saddled with the responsibility of protecting the interests and welfare of students across the country and in the diaspora, we condemn, in its entirety, this reprehensible attack on the safety and security of Nigerian students.”

It added that “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; it is paramount and mandatory.”

NANS urged the Federal Government, the Ogun State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Army and other relevant security agencies to intensify efforts towards securing the unconditional release of the abducted students.

The association stressed that every available resource should be deployed to guarantee the students’ safe return while proactive measures are implemented to prevent similar incidents.

It also argued that routine assurances from authorities were no longer sufficient, insisting that students deserved practical and sustained security measures capable of protecting lives on and off campus.

The student body further called on governments at all levels to invest in affordable on-campus accommodation, saying improved hostel facilities would reduce students’ exposure to security threats associated with living off campus.

According to the statement, “The government must recognize the importance of investing heavily in the construction of affordable, campus-based hostels for students, which would significantly reduce students’ exposure to the security risks associated with off-campus accommodation.”

Reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of Nigerian students, NANS declared that “the safety of Nigerian students is non-negotiable. We will not relent in our advocacy until the abducted students are rescued and returned safely, while concrete and lasting security measures are put in place across tertiary institutions nationwide.”