The National Association of Nigerian Students, Southwest Zone D, has called for sweeping reforms and a shift toward youth-sensitive policing across the country.
In a statement signed by its Southwest Coordinator, Josiah Adeyemo, on Thursday, the student body said Nigerian students deserve a policing system rooted in accountability, professionalism and respect for human rights.
Adeyemo stated, “The time for symbolic gestures has passed. The new leadership must embark on genuine, measurable, and institutional reforms that prioritise accountability, professionalism, and youth-sensitive policing.”
The group expressed dissatisfaction with the policing climate under former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, alleging that students across campuses in the Southwest and beyond experienced hostility rather than partnership.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, appointed Tunji Disu, the acting Inspector-General of Police.
Disu also assumed duty on Wednesday after his decoration by Tinubu earlier in the day.
This came after the former IG, Kayode Egbetokun, resigned his position on Tuesday, citing family reasons.
According to NANS, reports of harassment, arbitrary stops, unlawful detentions, extortion and heavy-handed responses to peaceful student activities persisted during the period.
He added, “Many campuses operated under an atmosphere of anxiety, where students felt profiled rather than protected.
“Instead of building bridges between law enforcement and students, the policing environment deepened mistrust.”
While acknowledging that Nigeria’s security challenges are complex and cannot be attributed to one individual alone, the association stressed that leadership sets the tone for institutional culture.
“Students did not experience meaningful improvements in accountability mechanisms or transparency in disciplinary procedures. What was presented as reform often appeared cosmetic,” the group stated.
NANS warned that the erosion of trust between students and the police poses risks for national stability.
“No security architecture can succeed when a significant segment of the population feels alienated from those tasked with protecting them,” it added.
The association urged the new IG to institutionalise structured dialogue with recognised student bodies and campus communities, enforce firm disciplinary measures against erring officers, and ensure transparent handling of complaints lodged by students.
It further recommended specialised training for officers deployed around academic institutions, particularly in conflict management, youth engagement, and human rights compliance.
“Students are not adversaries of the state; they are stakeholders in Nigeria’s democratic and developmental future. We are demanding protection, dignity, and fairness,” Adeyemo said.
The group pledged to monitor developments under the new police leadership, vowing to continue lawful and democratic advocacy should alleged misconduct persist.
He added, “The security of students must be non-negotiable. Nigeria’s future sits in its lecture halls and laboratories, and its protection begins with a policing system that works for students, not against them.”
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