The Senate Arm of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has called for collaboration of stakeholders in fight against cultism, kidnaping, killings and violence in Nigeria.
NAPS urged Nigerian youths to shun cultism, calling on government to do something about the social vices which has now become rampant among students and youth in Nigeria.
A statement by NAPS Senate President, Festus Oyewumi said the body can’t continue to fold it’s hands while good image of the nation is being destroyed.
He maintained that insecurity in Nigeria need state of emergency.
He said, “We are crying for a safe society by campaigning against violence everywhere in Nigeria, our campuses and community must be safe. Until Nigeria becomes a safe place, we are not going to relent.”
Oyewumi condemned the threat to life of one Ojegbenro Leye, a concerned Nigerian citizen and community youth leader, who was compelled to flee the country due to life-threatening circumstances created by violent gang activities and deep compromised security system.
He said, “In late October 2024, according to the Story of the Youth Leader in Ikotun, Ikotun witnessed a sudden and alarming surge in the activities of two notorious gangs Axe Confraternity (Aiyes known with their Black and Yellow color) and Eagles Confraternity (Eiye – Blue colour).
“These groups are widely known in Nigeria, particularly among youths in Lagos and several other states. Their violent operations targeted vulnerable youths and school children, often initiating them by force. The presence of these gangs posed a clear and immediate threat to lives and property.
“As a youth leader, he could not stand idly by, he decided to organize awareness campaigns and sensitization programs to protect the children and teenagers in his community from being recruited.
“Unfortunately, his activism made him a direct target. Members of these fraternities became aware of his efforts and began to issue threats to him and his family. He later received credible information that is picture had been circulated across several of their communication platforms, marking him as a target to bring down.
“His situation became even more frustrating when he realized that some members of the Security agencies were affiliated with these gangs. Each time he attempted to report the threats to the Authority, he was met with indifference, obstruction, or outright hostility. It became clear that he could not trust the authorities to protect him, in fact, they may have been part of the danger he was running from.
“What made matters worse was that these criminal groups reportedly have somewhat connections with powerful political figures, and they are often used for electoral violence during campaigns and elections. This widespread complicity made it impossible to seek justice or safety within the country.
“Eventually, the threats became so severe that he had no choice but to run away for his life. His parents, out of fear for their own lives, had to relocate to another state in Nigeria. He has to leave everything behind, his home, his job, and his community just to stay alive because the death don’t count.”
