The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has condemned the alleged invasion of a hostel occupied by students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, by armed police officers.
The student body, in a statement signed on Wednesday by its Coordinator, Comrade Kayode Adeyemo, described the operation as brutal and unprofessional.
The association cited video evidence showing armed uniformed officers forcefully entering the hostel occupied by a male and female student, intimidating and physically manhandling them.
It said it was more disturbing that the officers also accosted another student who was recording the incident from a separate building, seized his device and stopped the recording.
NANS said while the officers have been alleged to be operatives of the Zone 11 Cybercrime Unit, their precise formation is yet to be formally confirmed.
It expressed concern that the whereabouts and condition of the affected students have not been communicated to their families or student leadership, adding that there were indications they were taken to a police station.
The student body therefore called on the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 11, AIG Bassey S. Ewah, to urgently investigate the incident, clarify the identity of the officers 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,” NANS said.
The association demanded immediate confirmation of involvement of the Zone 11 Cybercrime Unit, identification of the officers involved, disclosure of where the students are being held, unrestricted access to them by families and lawyers, medical examination of assaulted students and return of seized phones.
It also demanded preservation of all video evidence, disclosure of legal basis for the operation and a transparent investigation with appropriate sanctions where misconduct is established.
“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,” the statement said.
Follow the OSUNDOTLIFE channel on WhatsAppKindly share this story | All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from OSUNDOTLIFE.
Contact: editor@osun.life
WhatsApp: 📲 +2348092333666