Insecurity: Ogun CP, NANS pledge stronger campus security

Amid rising cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism around tertiary institutions in Ogun State, the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has met with the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, to demand stronger security measures and closer collaboration with campus authorities.

The engagement, held at the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, on Thursday, was led by the NANS National Headquarters Secretary-General, Oladimeji Uthman.

Speaking, the NANS Secretary-General stated that the meeting focused on armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, drug abuse, police harassment, assault, vandalism and other criminal activities affecting students and the wider academic community.

He stressed that the discussion had become urgent following recurring attacks in and around tertiary institutions in the state, including Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu Ode; Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye; D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori; Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade; Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro; Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo; and Federal College of Education, Abeokuta.

Uthman stated that the recent kidnapping of students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, further highlighted the need for more coordinated security around campuses and their environs.

The NANS Secretary-General, however, charged the Commissioner of Police to intensify security operations around tertiary institutions and strengthen intelligence-led policing, surveillance, rapid response mechanisms and community engagement.

The student leader also called for the resuscitation and institutionalisation of the Police-Students Relations Forum (PSRF), which existed in the state some years ago.

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He noted that the forum would provide a structured platform for regular engagement, information sharing and timely communication between the police and student leaders across the state.

According to him, the collaboration would enable students to provide first-hand information on emerging threats while allowing the police to communicate preventive measures and advisories directly to the student community.

He commended the Ogun State Commissioner of Police and heads of other security agencies for their swift intervention in the recent kidnapping incident at Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, which led to the safe rescue and release of the abducted students. The association, however, stressed that proactive measures must be sustained to prevent a recurrence.

The meeting, according to him, also addressed the growing challenge of social vices within and around tertiary institutions, including drug and substance abuse, cultism, prostitution, sexual harassment, violence, theft, vandalism and gambling. Both parties agreed that tackling these issues would require not only enforcement but also sustained sensitisation, counselling, mentorship, student engagement and collaboration among institutions, students, security agencies and other stakeholders.

The association urged students to remain vigilant, avoid activities that expose them to risk, promptly report suspicious movements to appropriate authorities, and support collective efforts towards building safer campuses.

“The safety of our students is a collective responsibility, and NANS will continue to engage relevant authorities constructively until safer and more secure learning environments are guaranteed across all tertiary institutions in the Gateway State,” the statement said.

Responding, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, expressed appreciation for the visit and described the student leaders as “genuine and responsible.” He reaffirmed the readiness of the Ogun State Police Command to work closely with NANS and other legitimate student representatives to address security concerns affecting students and tertiary institutions across the state.

He also welcomed the proposed collaboration and the need for improved communication between the police and student leadership.

In recognition of the Ogun Police Command’s contributions to students’ security and the strengthening of police-student relations, the Ogun CP was decorated as a National Ambassador Against Social Vices.

The honour, according to NANS, reflects the association’s appreciation of his leadership and commitment to fostering a safer environment for students across the state.