2027 NANS:Standing in Solidarity and Seeking Justice,Visit to the Oyo State Commissioner of Police on the Abduction of Students and Teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

ON THE VISIT TO THE OYO STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE REGARDING THE ABDUCTION OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN ORIIRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

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)