- The Vice President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), South East Zone, condemned the actions of the police
Officers of the Special Anti-Cultism Squad (SACS), formerly known as the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), have raided a student hostel at the Federal Polytechnic Oko in Anambra State.
The raid, which occurred late Wednesday night, saw several students arrested while they were asleep in their lodges. Witnesses report that the officers broke into rooms, accusing the students of theft.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Vice President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), South East Zone, condemned the actions of the police and called for immediate intervention by the Anambra State Commissioner of Police.
NAPS warned the officers to stop harassing students or face a statewide protest that would involve massive media coverage.
The NAPS statement read, “We strongly condemn the unwarranted arrests and intimidation of students at Federal Polytechnic Oko. These raids, often conducted between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., are unacceptable to the leadership of NAPS South East Zone and must stop immediately.”
The student union, which represents over 20.1 million students across polytechnics and allied institutions nationwide, urged police authorities to respect the rights and dignity of students, adding that such actions violated their fundamental freedoms.
NAPS further warned, “If these unwarranted arrests and intimidation do not stop, we will be forced to take drastic measures, including a massive shutdown and protest, with full media involvement.”
The union stressed its commitment to protecting the rights of students and urged police authorities to heed their demands to prevent further escalation.
The incident has drawn attention to the ongoing issues of police brutality and the need for reforms within the Nigerian police force. Students and civil society groups continue to call for accountability and justice.
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