The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Ogun State Government and security agencies, demanding the immediate release of five abducted students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade (GAPOSA), and the arrest of those responsible for the killing of a female student at D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori.
In a press conference addressed by NANS Secretary General Comrade Oladimeji Uthman (popularly known as Dan Fodio), the student body declared that failure to meet the demands by the end of the ultimatum—effective from Wednesday, 5 August 2026—would trigger sustained peaceful mass protests across the state.
Uthman said students in Ogun State tertiary institutions have lived in fear for too long, facing armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, cult-related violence and other criminal attacks that have made free movement, attendance at lectures and return to hostels increasingly dangerous.
The most recent incidents cited include the kidnapping of five GAPOSA students, who have been in captivity for about a week, and the murder of Ahmed Sekinat, a female student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, during a robbery attack. Another student was shot and is receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta. NANS also pointed to rising armed robbery incidents around Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED), Ijebu-Ode; Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye; Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro; and Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo.
These attacks, the association stressed, are not isolated. Students at GAPOSA, D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, TASFUED, OOU, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro and Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic have repeatedly experienced robbery, violent assaults, kidnapping and threats to life in and around their campuses and off-campus residences.
NANS disclosed that it had earlier written to the heads of security agencies in the state requesting a strategic meeting to discuss lasting solutions. The requests were not granted, a development the association described as a clear signal that the safety of students was not being treated with the urgency it deserves.
Despite the frustration, Uthman praised Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Riliwan Disu for the prompt deployment of an operational police aircraft to support ongoing rescue efforts. He also acknowledged Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun for his request and commitment to the safety of lives and property, noting that the aircraft would improve aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering and rapid response.
The association’s demands include:
• Immediate and unconditional release of the five abducted GAPOSA students and the prosecution of the kidnappers.
• Speedy investigation, arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killing of Ahmed Sekinat and other attacks on students.
• A high-powered state government delegation to pay a condolence visit to Sekinat’s family and to the injured student at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.
• Immediate deployment of the Ogun State Anti-Violent Crime Team to all tertiary institutions and student communities.
• Strengthened security architecture around campuses, increased patrols, intelligence gathering, and the establishment of permanent security posts in vulnerable student areas.
• Stronger collaboration between institutional managements, host communities, traditional rulers and security agencies.
• Urgent creation of an Ogun Security Agencies-Student Leaders Relations Forum (OGSASLRF).
Uthman emphasised that the planned protest would be peaceful and lawful, aimed at drawing urgent attention to the deteriorating security situation. He called on Students’ Union Governments, NANS structures, staff unions (including ASUU, ASUP, COEASU and NASU), the Nigeria Labour Congress, civil society organisations, youth groups and other well-meaning Nigerians to join the action.
“The time to act is now,” the Secretary General declared. “Education cannot thrive under fear.”
The convergence point for the protest will be announced in due course.