NANS Threatens Police Commission Petition Over Alleged Hostel Invasion In Ede

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has called for an immediate investigation into the alleged invasion of a students’ hostel at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, by armed police officers.

The association condemned the incident, describing the alleged conduct of the officers as unprofessional and unacceptable, and demanded that the police authorities identify those involved and account for the affected students.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Coordinator, Comrade Kayode Adeyemo, NANS said video footage of the incident showed armed policemen allegedly forcing their way into a hostel occupied by male and female students, where they reportedly intimidated and manhandled the occupants.

The student body also alleged that another student who was recording the operation from a nearby building was accosted by the officers, who seized his device and stopped him from filming the incident.

Although the officers were alleged to be attached to the Zone 11 Cybercrime Unit, NANS said their actual police formation had yet to be formally established.

The association expressed concern over the whereabouts and condition of the affected students, saying neither their families nor student leaders had received official information about their situation.

It added that there were indications that the students had been taken to a police station.

NANS therefore called on the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 11, AIG Bassey S. Ewah, to urgently investigate the incident, establish the identity of the officers involved and disclose the whereabouts of the students.

“If the Zone 11 Command maintains that the officers are not attached to its Cybercrime Unit, then the Command must issue a formal clarification and work with the Osun State Police Command and Force Headquarters to identify the police formation responsible,” the statement said.

The association demanded confirmation of whether operatives of the Zone 11 Cybercrime Unit participated in the operation and called for the immediate disclosure of where the affected students were being held.

It also demanded that the students be granted unrestricted access to their families and lawyers, while those allegedly assaulted should undergo medical examinations.

Other demands included the return of seized mobile phones, preservation of all video evidence, disclosure of the legal basis for the operation and a transparent investigation into the conduct of the officers.

NANS, however, clarified that it was not opposed to legitimate police investigations into cybercrime but insisted that such operations must be conducted within the provisions of the law.

“NANS Southwest does not and will never obstruct any legitimate investigation into cybercrime. However, the investigation of an alleged offence does not authorise officers to invade student residences recklessly, brutalise occupants, intimidate witnesses or seize recording devices,” it stated.

The association warned that the alleged incident could undermine public confidence in the police, stressing that the fight against cybercrime must be based on intelligence gathering and respect for citizens’ fundamental rights.

It further threatened to pursue lawful measures, including petitions to the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission and the National Human Rights Commission, if the matter was not addressed.

“A police uniform is not a licence for brutality. Students are citizens protected by the Constitution,” NANS added.