The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has raised the alarm over the incessant kidnapping of students of tertiary institutions in the country, calling on the Federal Government to tackle the menace which has made campuses unsafe for students.
NANS also appealed to the FG and urged security agents to speed up efforts in rescuing the three female students of the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, who were abducted on February 25 by suspected kidnappers on the university campus.
Three female engineering students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, were abducted while returning from a night study session within the university premises.
According to a student of the university who witnessed the abduction, the abductors emerged from a nearby bush and kidnapped the students.
NANS, however, in a statement by its National Vice President, Inter-Campus Affairs, Felicia Akinbodunse, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Sunday, stated that the kidnapping of students off and on the campus has become an ugly trend that must be tackled.
Akinbodunse expressed dismay that campuses of tertiary institutions that used to be the most secure have now become so porous and attractive grounds for kidnappers to operate.
She stated that apart from the psychological and physical harm the kidnapping of the three students would have on them, their parents and guardians would have been in a state of disarray since the horrific episode.
Akinbodunse stated that if students residing on campus were exposed to kidnappers’ fangs, students living off campus would undoubtedly be in continual terror and panic.
The NANS National Vice President urged the management of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University in Markurdi to go beyond halting academic activities and tighten up internal security on campus, particularly at night when students are studying.
Akinbodunse, who frowned at the slow pace of the rescuing efforts by security agents, declared that failure to swiftly get back the abducted students and nab the culprits would embolden other criminals to carry out similar nefarious acts.
The statement said, “NANS is alarmed at the rate at which students are being abducted on campuses of tertiary institutions in the country. This is not only worrisome but also an ugly trend that needs to be arrested before it spirals out of control.
“The recent abduction of three 100-level engineering students of the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, while returning from night study on the campus is heartbreaking.
“One can imagine the psychological trauma and pains the experience would have on both the parents and the abductees.
“It is highly unfortunate that campuses of tertiary institutions that used to be most secure have not become fertile ground where kidnappers operate.
“While we condemn this act of wickedness and demand the release of the kidnapped students unhurt, we equally urge the Federal Government, Benue State Government, and security agencies to ensure the safe return of these students.
“We commend the management of the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, for suspending academic activities immediately after the abduction.
“Meanwhile, the management will have to go beyond this and beef up security on the campus and its environs to prevent the reoccurrence of the incident.
“As the umbrella body of the Nigerian students, NANS is watching the development, and we will not hesitate to declare a protest across the zones in the country if the abducted students are not rescued on time.”
