Concerned Nigerians demand DSS officers’ prosecution over NANS President’s attack
By Ukpono Ukpong
Concerned Nigerians Group has demanded the immediate prosecution of officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly involved in the abduction and brutalization of the factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mr. Atiku Isah.
The group also called for an investigation into the incident and warned security agencies against any further harm to the student leader.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its convener, Mr. Raphael Adebayo, the group condemned what it described as the “indefensible abduction, assault, and vile threats of blackmail” against Mr. Isah, accusing state security agents of targeting him for rejecting a bribe meant to buy his support for President Tinubu’s government.
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“We declare that under no circumstances should any human being, let alone any citizen of Nigeria, be violated in such a bestial and bloodthirsty manner by security agents of the state without consequences,” the group stated.
The group criticized the alleged politicization of NANS, praising Mr. Isah for standing up against political interference.
“We acknowledge the ghastly politicization and thuggification of NANS by Nigeria’s amoral political class, commend the emergence of Mr. Isah as a dogged force of resistance and mass conscientization, and encourage him and his comrades to carry on without fear or favour,” it said.
According to the statement, the “decadent cultism and political commercialization” of NANS have undermined the association’s historical values.
“We stand with Mr. Isah in his correct position that the decadent cultism and political commercialization of NANS have only resulted in the widespread erasure of strong moral values and anti-authoritarian resistance which were historically the hallmark of NANS and Nigerian students in general,” it noted.
The group further condemned the alleged offer of a N100 million bribe to Mr. Isah, calling it morally reprehensible in a country battling extreme poverty.
“In a country that is deemed the poverty capital of the world, where over 99% of Nigeria’s banked population do not have up to 500,000 Naira in their bank accounts, it is certainly morally repulsive to offer 100 Million Naira to anyone in order to corrupt their political views and commitment to defending ordinary Nigerians,” it stated.
Calling for accountability, the group urged the DSS Director General, Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, to act swiftly.
“We hereby call on the Director General of the Department of State Services, Mr. Adeola Ajayi, to swiftly investigate this despicable development and ensure the prosecution of all DSS officers and other recruited non-state actors who may have been directly or indirectly involved in the brutalization of Mr. Isah,” the statement demanded.
The group also requested a joint press conference by the DSS and Police leadership to reassure the public of Mr. Isah’s safety.
“We equally demand that the Director General of the Department of State Services and the incumbent illegitimate Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, hold a joint press conference to offer their assurances to Nigerians that no harm will come to Mr. Isah for boldly reporting his devastating experience to the Nigerian people,” it warned.
Concerned Nigerians pledged solidarity with Mr. Isah and other NANS activists, urging students nationwide to rise in defense of their association’s integrity.
Reaffirming its commitment to democratic ideals, the group vowed to continue the struggle for a better Nigeria.
“We affirm that the future that all Nigerians hope to see in their lifetime must be erected on a morally unambiguous foundation and a shared commitment to the protection of their fundamental rights to life, freedom of expression, and dignified living conditions, which are in contradiction to what the illegitimate Tinubu regime and his unfortunate lackeys represent to our collective aspirations,” the statement concluded, adding: “The struggle shall continue, and victory is certain for the Nigerian people!”
