The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed deep concern over the increasing cases of student kidnappings in tertiary institutions, urging the Federal Government to take immediate action to curb the growing insecurity on campuses.
The student body specifically called for intensified efforts to rescue three female students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, who were abducted on February 25 while returning from a night study session. According to eyewitnesses, the kidnappers emerged from a nearby bush and forcefully took the students away.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta, NANS National Vice President for Inter-Campus Affairs, Akinbodunse Sileola Felicia, described the trend as alarming and called for urgent intervention. She pointed out that campuses, which were once considered safe, have become easy targets for criminal activities.
She also highlighted the distress and trauma experienced by both the kidnapped students and their families, warning that if those living on campus can be abducted, students residing off-campus are even more vulnerable.
NANS urged the university management to go beyond suspending academic activities and take concrete steps to reinforce security, especially at night when students gather for study sessions. The association also criticized the slow response of security agencies, warning that delayed action could embolden criminals to continue their activities.
The student body stated that if urgent measures are not taken, it will mobilize students for nationwide protests until the kidnapped students are safely rescued. It further called on the Federal Government, the Benue State Government, and security agencies to prioritize the protection of students and ensure the immediate release of those abducted.
