DELSU SUG, NANS Threaten Mass Protest Over Arrest Of Students, Demand Immediate Release

The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-South Zone B, have condemned the arrest of some students by operatives of the Delta State Police Command, demanding their immediate and unconditional release.

In separate statements issued on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, both student bodies described the arrests as unlawful and warned that failure to release the students could trigger peaceful mass protests across Delta State.

In a petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, and signed by the DELSU SUG Executive President, Comrade Kingsley Ovedje Dumuje, and Secretary-General, Comrade Oliseyum Victory, the union expressed concern over the reported arrest of students on Tuesday at about 10:00 p.m. in Abraka.

The union alleged that the students were arrested without the presentation of a warrant and under circumstances that remain unclear.

According to the SUG, the arrests come at a critical period as the university is preparing for its second semester examinations, scheduled to begin within two weeks, and could jeopardize the academic future of the affected students.

While acknowledging the constitutional responsibility of the police to maintain law and order, the union maintained that the arrest of students under what it described as vague circumstances was counterproductive to peace and constituted a violation of their fundamental rights.

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The SUG demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all the arrested students, warning that if its demand was not met within 24 hours, it would mobilize students for what it described as “the largest peaceful protest in the history of Delta State” to seek justice and protect students’ educational rights.

Similarly, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-South Zone B, condemned what it called the unlawful arrest, harassment and alleged extortion of DELSU students.

In a statement signed by the Zone B Coordinator, Comrade Victor Ogechukwu Anthony, NANS said reports from the university and the petition submitted by the SUG painted a disturbing picture of arbitrary arrests, alleged extortion and violations of the constitutional rights of students.

The association described the alleged actions as an abuse of power capable of eroding students’ confidence in law enforcement agencies.

NANS demanded the immediate release of all detained students, a comprehensive investigation into the allegations of extortion and misconduct against the officers involved, disciplinary action against anyone found culpable, and assurances from the Delta State Police Command that students would no longer be subjected to arbitrary arrests.

The student body further warned that if the demands were ignored, it would temporarily relocate its Zone B Secretariat to Asaba to coordinate sustained, peaceful protests until justice is served.

It also directed the Chairman of the NANS Joint Campus Committee (JCC), Delta State Axis, to begin mobilising students across tertiary institutions in the state for a peaceful mass protest in Asaba.

Meanwhile, the DELSU Students’ Union Government disclosed that information available to it indicates that the Commissioner of Police has ordered the immediate release of the arrested students.

The union, however, insisted it would not suspend its planned actions until all the students regain their freedom.

“Until we receive our students, we are not backing down. Freedom comes by struggle,” the union stated.

As of the time of filing this report, the Delta State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident or confirmed the release of the students.