The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Tuesday declared Democracy Day June 12 as a day of protest over insecurity in the country.
President of the students’ body Sunday Asefon expressed concern that students had fallen victims to kidnappers and bandits.
Asefon, who bemoaned the kidnap of over 200 students of Islamiyya School in Rafi council area of Niger State, said NANS had relocated its national headquarters to the north central state pending when the students would be released, adding, “Nigerians have to come together to see what can be done on the issue of insecurity”.
The NANS leader told reporters in Ekiti that the declaration of days for prayer and protest was part of the body’s plan to ensure they played their part in ensuring safer schools.
He said, “I hereby declare 11th June as the national students’ day of prayers. Prayers shall be offered for the repose of our students who have died in the hands of kidnappers. Prayers shall be held for the safe return of our students who are still with their kidnappers.
“I hereby declare June 12, 2021, as the national day of peaceful protest to call on the government to act decisively towards addressing insecurity in our schools, campuses and also announce a proactive measure or strategy towards ensuring safer schools.”
Responding to a question on the choice of Democracy Day for the protest, Asefon retorted, “What are we celebrating as democracy when many of our students are in kidnappers’ den?
“What are we celebrating when people are not at peace, when insecurity is threatening our existence when killings and banditry are the order of the day? Democracy is about people, but what are we celebrating as democracy day when the people are being killed?”
