The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone, has condemned the shooting of a student at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, on Monday.
NANS South-West zone in a statement jointly signed by the Coordinator, Secretary-General and Public Relations Officer, Comrades John Alao, Sulaimon Sanni and Peter Bamigboye respectively described as tragic and totally condemnable.
The statement, which was made available to journalists on Tuesday reads in parts: “This condemnable act perpetrated by a member of the Nigeria Police Force has once again brought to light the issue of police brutality and excessive use of force in the country, particularly against young people.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students South-West zone has unequivocally condemned the actions of the police officer responsible for the shooting, describing it as a flagrant violation of the rights of students and an egregious abuse of power.
“The tragic loss of a promising young life underscores the urgent need for comprehensive police reform and accountability measures to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
“In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a disturbing pattern of police brutality and extrajudicial killings, with young people often bearing the brunt of these abuses. The #EndSARS protests that swept across the country in 2020 highlighted the pervasive culture of impunity within the Nigerian police force and galvanized widespread calls for reform.
“However, despite promises of reform and accountability from government officials, incidents of police brutality continue to occur with alarming frequency, further eroding public trust in law enforcement institutions.
“The shooting at LAUTECH serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for concrete actions to address the root causes of police brutality and ensure accountability for perpetrators.
“It is imperative that the Nigerian government takes decisive steps to overhaul the police force, including implementing comprehensive training programs on human rights and de-escalation techniques, establishing independent oversight mechanisms to investigate allegations of misconduct, and holding accountable those responsible for violating the rights of citizens.”
The statement further read: “There is a pressing need to address the underlying socio-economic factors that contribute to the prevalence of police brutality in Nigeria. Widespread poverty, unemployment, and social inequality exacerbate tensions between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, often leading to violent confrontations and abuses of power.
“To effectively address police brutality, the Nigerian government must prioritise efforts to tackle these root causes and promote inclusive economic development and social justice.
“Ultimately, the shooting at LAUTECH should serve as a wake-up call for the Nigerian government and society as a whole to take decisive action to end police brutality and ensure justice for victims.
“The tragic loss of life cannot be in vain, and meaningful reforms must be implemented to prevent future tragedies and uphold the rule of law. As citizens, we must remain vigilant and actively engage in efforts to promote accountability, transparency, and respect for human rights within our communities and institutions.”
Also reacting to the incident, Special Adviser and Ambassador of NANS South-West, Dr Idowu Adewumi, called for urgent action from the appropriate authorities by taking drastic steps to put an end to what he described as police brutality as it has become rampant in the society.
Adewumi noted that the government in particular should see to the law prohibiting using firearms on campuses. He said the lives of young promising Nigerians must not be allowed to just be continually cut off at their prime. He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, LAUTECH and NANS.
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