The raid, which was aimed at disrupting a secret cult activity scheduled to take place on the ESUT campus, resulted in the arrest of both innocent students and actual culprits. The indiscriminate arrests sparked a wave of protests from the student community, with media outlets and individuals misrepresenting the incident to generate attention. NANS Enugu quickly stepped in to address the issue and ensure the release of the innocent students, accounting for 26 out of the total 31 students arrested.
Explaining the situation, the police stated that the raid was based on credible intelligence regarding the cult gathering planned at the campus cafeteria. However, due to the nature of the operation, some innocent students were inadvertently caught up in the arrests. NANS Enugu condemned the indiscriminate arrests of innocent students and reiterated its commitment to partnering with the Nigerian Police in the fight against cultism on campuses while safeguarding the rights and welfare of Nigerian students in Enugu State.
In a statement, Comrade Prisca Okeke, Chairman of NANS Enugu State, expressed appreciation for the support and understanding of the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Amani. Okeke praised his "fatherly disposition" towards the students and acknowledged the dedication of all security stakeholders involved in the ongoing efforts to eradicate the menace of cultism from campuses across the state.
The swift action taken by NANS Enugu demonstrates their commitment to ensuring the protection of students' rights and welfare while also addressing the issue of cultism on campuses. With this recent incident highlighting the challenges faced by innocent students during anti-cult operations, it is hoped that future actions will be carried out with greater precision and consideration to avoid unnecessary hardships for students.
As NANS continues to work in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, it is expected that their joint efforts will create a safer and more conducive learning environment for students across Enugu State.
