The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has given the Federal Government and the Plateau State government a 48-hour ultimatum to rescue the abducted student of the University of Jos, John Arum, or face massive protests from Nigerian students across the state and the country.
Arum’s plight came to the limelight after bandits who reportedly abducted him while travelling from Jos, the Plateau State capital to Kaduna, released a video where he was brutalized severely, with the abductors demanding a ransom of N30 million for his release.
Reacting to the abduction of Arum, the national student body in a statement issued on Tuesday by President, Olushola Oladoja, condemned the kidnapping of the UniJos student and called on the government to do everything possible to effect his rescue with immediate effect.
The statement said NANS waa outraged over the incident which it described as a reflection of the deteriorating security situation in the country.
The union stressed that the disturbing video which was evidence of the student’s captivity showed the conditions under which he is being held and the inhumane treatment meted out to him.
“It is disturbing and highly challenging to acknowledge that such inhumane treatment can be meted out by one human to another,” the statement said.
“However, what is more perplexing is the apathy and weak response of our security institutions and local authorities at the state and federal levels.
“The horrifying incident that has happened to John is yet another reminder of the steady and unacceptable decline in the safety and security of Nigerian citizens, especially students.
“No Nigerian student should have to endure such acts of wickedness, cruelty, and dehumanising experience, just as no family should be left in anguish due to negligence.
“Silence, delay, or half-measures in moments when decisive action is required only embolden perpetrators and deepen public despair.
“By this statement, NANS is giving the Plateau State government and the Federal Government 48-hours to immediately deploy intelligence and security resources to secure Arum’s safe release, as well as regular updates to the public on efforts being made.
“As an organisation, our demands are clear, and failure to meet them within the stipulated timeframe will compel Nigerian students to embark on a nationwide solidarity protest and shutdown of socio-economic and academic activities,” the statement warned.
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