National Association of Nigerian Students calls for freedom of arrested Osun university student union head

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Southwest Zone, has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Osun State Police Command, demanding that it either charge detained student leader Alalade Felix, also known as “Machiavelli”, to court or release him.

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This demand was made in a statement released on Wednesday, which was jointly signed by NANS Southwest Coordinator, Adeyemo Josiah, Public Relations Officer, Olugbemi Timothy, and General Secretary, Ojetola Babatunde.

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NANS leaders had visited the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo to inquire about Alalade's arrest and continued detention, and according to the association, Alalade's wife reported that police operatives arrived at their residence around 1am, forced their way in, and took him away without informing his family of his destination.

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Alalade was initially taken to the Area Command in Ilesa before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo, as revealed by NANS.

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This development comes as Osun State is experiencing heightened political tension ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with security agencies facing pressure to maintain neutrality and prevent violence.

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NANS stated that the police alleged Alalade's involvement in a violent incident during a political procession, claiming to have video evidence to support the allegation.

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However, the student body demanded that any evidence against Alalade be presented in court, stating that "our position is straightforward: If such evidence exists, place it before a competent court and prosecute him according to law".

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During their visit to the police command, NANS sought clarification and credible material to support the allegations against Alalade, but claimed that no such material was presented to them.

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NANS emphasized that the mere existence of an allegation cannot replace judicial scrutiny or justify prolonged detention, stating "during our engagements at the Police Command, we sought clarity and credible material supporting the allegations, but no such material was presented".

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The association acknowledged the police's responsibility to investigate crimes and make arrests when there is reasonable suspicion of an offense, but stressed that continued detention should not be used as a form of punishment, as "an allegation is not a conviction, an investigation is not a sentence".

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NANS called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to intervene and ensure that officers involved in the matter act strictly within the law, professionally, and without political influence.

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This demand is particularly important due to the upcoming governorship election, as NANS argued that public confidence in the neutrality of security agencies must be protected, stating "this is particularly important at a time when Osun State is approaching a sensitive election and public confidence in the neutrality of security agencies must not be allowed to deteriorate".

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NANS noted that it has previously collaborated with the police through the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, POCACOV, in campaigns against electoral violence and social vices, and that such cooperation relies on mutual trust, transparency, professionalism, and fairness.

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The association emphasized that its intervention is not connected to Alalade's employment or political affiliation, describing him as a former NANS JCC Osun Public Relations Officer, former Convention Planning Committee Chairman, alumnus of the University of Ilesa, and an active stakeholder in the student movement, stating "he is one of us".

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NANS stressed that its primary concern is that Alalade, as a recognized student leader, should receive due process, stating "our concern is that a recognized student leader must enjoy the same due process guaranteed to every Nigerian citizen".

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The association subsequently issued an ultimatum to the police, stating "our position is simple: Within the next 24 hours, either bring Comrade Alalade Bukola Felix ‘Machiavelli’ before a competent court and place the allegations and available evidence before the judiciary, or release him in accordance with the law".

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NANS also called on the Osun Commissioner of Police and senior officers responsible for election security to demonstrate fairness and professionalism, warning that failure to resolve the matter lawfully could lead to peaceful action, as "should this situation continue without lawful judicial intervention or satisfactory resolution, NANS will consult its structures and commence lawful, peaceful and organised mass action to demand respect for due process and the fundamental rights of one of our own".

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NANS maintained that it will not obstruct a legitimate criminal investigation or defend wrongdoing, stating "we remain non-partisan, we will neither defend wrongdoing nor obstruct a legitimate criminal investigation, but neither will we sit idle while political tension becomes an excuse for the rights of student leaders to be disregarded".

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The association concluded by stating "investigate if you must, prosecute if you have evidence, but let the law, not allegation, determine guilt".

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The statement was copied to the NANS National Headquarters, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Osun Commissioner of Police, and other election security authorities.