National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly condemned the abduction of five students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State, describing the incident as another disturbing indication of the worsening security situation confronting students in the country.
The students were reportedly kidnapped after armed men attacked a private hostel located along Paraga Road in Ipara on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
Reacting in a statement signed by its President, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, the association expressed deep concern over what it described as a growing wave of violent attacks targeting students in Ogun State.
According to NANS, the latest abduction occurred only days after another security incident at D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, where an HND II student, Miss Ahmed Sekinat, was killed during a robbery attack while several others sustained injuries.
The student body said the back-to-back incidents had created fear among students and underscored the urgent need for decisive action by government and security agencies.
Condemning the attack, the association insisted that students should never be forced to risk their lives in pursuit of education.
“To be clear, 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 called on the Federal Government, Ogun State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the immediate release of the abducted students.
The association urged the authorities to deploy every available resource to ensure the victims are rescued unharmed while taking proactive steps to prevent similar attacks in tertiary institutions.
“We call on 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 all relevant security agencies to immediately, as a matter of urgency and national importance, swing into action to ensure the safe and immediate rescue of the abducted students.”
NANS also argued that repeated expressions of sympathy after security breaches were no longer sufficient, stressing that students deserve practical and sustained security measures on and around campuses.
The association further advocated increased government investment in affordable on-campus accommodation, noting that such facilities would reduce students’ dependence on private hostels where they are often more vulnerable to criminal attacks.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting students’ welfare, NANS vowed to continue engaging relevant authorities until the kidnapped students regain their freedom and lasting security measures are implemented across higher institutions.
“Without equivocation, we state 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.”
The association added that it would continue to monitor developments closely while pressing for stronger policies to guarantee the safety of students across Nigeria.
It also expressed solidarity with the families of the abducted students, expressing hope for their safe and swift return.