The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a strong warning of mass protests in response to what it described as the ongoing intimidation and harassment of students by a controversial police unit known as the “Dragon Squad” in Ogun State.
In a statement signed by NANS National President, Ladoja Olushola, on Monday in Abuja, the student body condemned the “heinous and unlawful” activities of the squad, which it said has been operating under the guise of targeting internet fraudsters popularly referred to as “Yahoo Boys” but has instead been extorting, detaining, and terrorising innocent youths and students in Abeokuta.
According to Olushola, the squad is allegedly led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who previously served with the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the Zonal Intervention Squad (ZIS).
He noted that the squad has set up base at Laderin Estate in Abeokuta, where several victims, including students, are allegedly detained without charge.
He accused the DSP of reviving the discredited methods of SARS by illegally raiding homes, arresting students, and demanding bribes. Some students have reportedly been forced to pay large sums, with one recent case involving the extortion of ₦1.5 million from a victim. Parents of detained students have also allegedly been targeted.
Olushola claimed the unit operates under the cover of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, and has ignored directives from the Ogun State Commissioner of Police. He also accused the squad of collaborating with land grabbers to terrorise residents in the Ita Oshin and Oke Ata areas of Abeokuta.
Despite repeated complaints from residents, NANS said the Dragon Squad’s operations have continued unchecked, prompting the student body to call for immediate intervention by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
“The DSP and his team have instilled fear in students and their families,” Olushola said. “We cannot sit idly by while our members are being unjustly targeted and abused.”
He warned that NANS would stage a massive protest at the Zone 2 Police Command in Onikan, Lagos, on Wednesday. This would be followed by another demonstration next Monday at the offices of the IGP, National Assembly, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Police Service Commission in Abuja.
While NANS reiterated that it does not support criminal activity by students or anyone else, it said it would firmly resist any form of unlawful detention, intimidation, or abuse by security agencies.
“We are calling on the IGP to rein in DSP Adeyemi and disband the Dragon Squad immediately. No one is above the law not even those wearing uniforms,” Olushola declared.
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