Jelili Gbadamosi
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone, has called for an urgent overhaul of security around tertiary institutions and student communities following the killing of a final-year student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, Ogun State.
The association said the tragic incident underscored the need for immediate action by the government and security agencies to protect students from criminal attacks.
The victim, a final-year Marketing student, was reportedly killed during a robbery attack in the Eruku area on Monday night, triggering protests by students who blocked the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway on Tuesday.
A NANS delegation led by South-West Coordinator, Josiah Adeyemo, alongside the Ogun State Joint Campus Committee (JCC) Chairman, Olabode Faruq, and the institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, visited the polytechnic to commiserate with the management and students.
Speaking during the visit, Adeyemo described the student’s death as a painful loss to the Nigerian student community and urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police and Governor Dapo Abiodun to strengthen security in off-campus communities where many students reside.
He stressed that students deserve to pursue their education in a safe and secure environment, calling on authorities to prioritise the protection of educational institutions.
As part of efforts to address the security concerns, the delegation also met with the Eleruku of Eruku Kingdom, Oba Ajagungbade Gbadewolu Atobatele, who disclosed that 10 local security operatives had been deployed to improve surveillance and prevent further attacks.
The Rector of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Goke Rauf, assured the delegation that the institution was taking steps to improve safety through the construction of additional student hostels, enhanced campus security, rehabilitation of internal roads and the introduction of new student welfare initiatives.
While commending the proposed measures, NANS insisted that the perpetrators of the attack must be arrested and prosecuted, stressing that swift action is essential to restore confidence among students and prevent similar incidents.
