The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on President Bola Tinubu to sack the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun for the broad internal security collapse that has led to the abduction of school children by terrorists.
NANS also urged the President to sack the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi
According to the students body, the failure of the offices to effectively coordinate intelligence, enforce preventive security, protect defenseless students is unacceptable while calling Nigeria to stop rewarding incompetence in matters of life and national stability.
NANS National President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja made the call during a press conference in Abuja, on Monday on the incessant attacks on schools and kidnapping of students by terrorists.
A copy of the statement obtained by BEYOND AFRICA reads : “Your Excellencies, Distinguished Nigerians, Members of the Press, Leaders of Thought, and the entire Nigerian Student Community:
“Today, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) addresses the nation with a heavy heart and with deep frustration over the unending tragedy of attacks on our schools and the kidnapping of innocent Nigerian students. These repeated assaults on education are not only barbaric—they are a direct strike at the soul of our nation’s future.
“Recent Kidnappings defines us as a Nation Under Siege
“In the past days, our country has again witnessed heartbreaking incidents of school abductions:
“Goverment secondary school in Maga Community, Kebbi State: Terrorists invaded the community, attacking a school and abducting students while killing Vice Principal in another reckless display of insecurity. Shockingly, this incident occurred barely minutes after military personnel reportedly left the area, raising serious questions about internal compromise and coordination failure. Even the Executive Governor of Kebbi State publicly lamented this disturbing circumstance, highlighting suspicions of internal sabotage and failures within the security architecture.
“Less than 72 hours after, at St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary school Niger State: Another group of students numbers 215 was violently taken away by armed insurgents, further heightening fears among communities and worsening the already fragile safety situation for students across the North.
“These recent tragedies are painful additions to a long and shameful history of student kidnappings, including:
“The Chibok Girls abducted in Borno State in 2014.
“The Dapchi Girls kidnapped in Yobe State, with some still missing.
“The Afaka College of Forestry Students abducted in Kaduna State.
“For more than a decade, Nigeria has been repeating this cycle of grief—without justice, without decisive reforms, and without the assurance that students in their classrooms are protected.
“There is no longer any doubt that Nigeria’s internal security structure has failed in its most fundamental duty—to protect the lives of citizens and secure learning environments for our children.
“The Safe School Initiative, despite enormous funding and repeated government commitments, has remained grossly ineffective. Too many schools have fallen to terrorists under circumstances that point to poor coordination, intelligence failure, and leadership complacency.
“Accordingly, NANS calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, without delay:
“Sack the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) for the clear inefficiency of the Safe School Initiative under his watch; and
“Sack the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the broad internal security collapse that has emboldened terrorists to repeatedly target schools and abduct students without deterrence.
“The failure of these offices to effectively coordinate intelligence, enforce preventive security, and protect defenseless students is unacceptable. Nigeria must stop rewarding incompetence in matters of life and national stability.
“We further demand investigation and accountability. In view of the Kebbi incident where terrorists struck minutes after military withdrawal, NANS is deeply concerned about the possibility of internal sabotage.
“We therefore call on:
The National Security Adviser,
The Minister of Defense,
The Chief of Defense Staff, and The Chiefs of Army Staff
to immediately set up a high-level investigation panel to uncover:
1. Potential conspiracy or insider collaboration,
2. Security lapses and command failures,
3. Reasons for repeated security withdrawals shortly before attacks, and
4. Those responsible for exposing our students to danger.
The Nigerian student community demands accountability—nothing less.
NANS hereby gives the federal government and relevant security agencies 14 days to:
Ensure the safe rescue and return of all abducted students in Kebbi, Niger, and elsewhere;
Present a clear and verifiable plan for securing schools nationwide;
Implement immediate restructuring of the Safe School Initiative.
Failure to comply within this timeframe will leave the leadership of NANS with no choice but to commence nationwide civil disobedience, including:
Shutdown of major highways and airports
Peaceful mass demonstrations across the federation.
We can no longer stand by while terrorists destroy what remains of our education system. The era of silence and tolerance is over.
Conclusively, Nigeria is at a crossroads. The safety of our students is non-negotiable, and the future of our nation is at stake. NANS stands united, resolute, and ready to defend the Nigerian student identity—by dialogue if possible, and by mass civil action if necessary.
We mourn with the affected families, communities, and states. We demand justice. And we declare, unequivocally, that students’ lives matter, and this nation must act accordingly.
