NANS Zone D Reacts to Arrest of Suspects with Branded Vehicle, Cautions Osun Police Against Defamation

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has responded to the arrest of four individuals by the Osun State Police Command who were reportedly found in possession of firearms, cutlasses, and charms in a vehicle bearing a NANS-branded plate number.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, the association acknowledged the possibility that one or more of the arrested individuals could be students or even affiliated with NANS. However, it stressed that such cases should not lead to blanket assumptions about the entire organization.

“NANS does not deny the possibility of bad eggs within its fold, just as no institution, including the Nigeria Police Force, is immune to internal misconduct,” the statement read. “One misled student cannot and should not be used to define the values of the entire student body.”

Referencing a past incident in Osogbo, the student body recalled how a police officer once hijacked a vehicle belonging to one of its members, an act they chose not to publicize aggressively in the media, out of respect for the integrity of the police as an institution.

The group expressed deep concern over what it described as “reckless tagging” by the police, particularly the public sharing of images of a vehicle with NANS plates, which they say could tarnish the image of the association without due investigation.

“This form of media theatrics is unacceptable. The Zonal Leadership of NANS Zone D will not tolerate this from the Osun State Police Command,” the statement added. “We are capable of using the media too, and will not hesitate to defend the integrity of our organization with every means available.”

While reiterating that the student body does not condone crime, cultism, or violence of any kind, the statement emphasized that NANS remains a responsible, law-abiding body committed to education reform and national development.

“We are open to cooperating fully with the authorities to get to the root of this incident,” NANS stated. “But we will not watch silently as the name of the largest student body in Africa is dragged through the mud.”

The group called on the police, media, and the general public to uphold professionalism, thorough investigation, and fairness in all matters involving student representation.

The statement was signed by Comrade Owolewa Taiwo S., Coordinator of NANS Southwest Zone D; Comrade Oluwole Olutunde A., General Secretary; and was broadcasted by the PRO, Comrade Kuku Isaiah Eromidayo.