The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, has asked Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede to apologize within 48 hours for his claim that six out of every 10 Nigerian students are involved in cybercrime.

The zonal leadership of the association made the demand in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Comrade Tope Olugbemi, and sent to SunOnline on Tuesday night.

At an event for Pro-Chancellors of state-owned universities held in Kano on Tuesday, the EFCC boss said, “My research in the last one year has shown that about six out of 10 students in our universities are into cybercrime. It is a very disturbing situation.”

Olugbemi described the EFCC chairman’s assertion as “disturbing and highly condemnable”.

He charged the EFCC boss to retract it within 48 hours or risk a coordinated peaceful protest from slandered students.

The statement reads, “This assertion is not only outrageous, unverified, and misleading, but also a direct attack on the collective image, dignity, and credibility of Nigerian students across the federation.

“Such a sweeping generalization from the head of a foremost anti-graft institution is unfortunate, irresponsible, and capable of creating dangerous national consequences.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerian students are not criminals. Nigerian students are scholars, innovators, nation-builders, entrepreneurs, researchers, and future leaders who continue to make positive impacts both locally and internationally despite harsh economic realities, inadequate educational funding, insecurity, and systemic challenges.

“To criminalize an entire demographic with careless statistics is unacceptable and must be rejected by all well-meaning Nigerians.

“We are particularly worried that comments such as this further embolden unlawful profiling, harassment, extortion, illegal arrests, intimidation, and brutality often suffered by students at the hands of some security operatives.

“Many innocent students have in the past been targeted merely for owning laptops, smartphones, driving vehicles, or living independently.

“It is deeply disappointing that rather than focus on institutional reforms, intelligence-driven investigations, youth empowerment, and strategic crime prevention, the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has chosen to stigmatize millions of Nigerian youths pursuing education under difficult conditions.

“As the Public Relations Officer of NANS Southwest Zone D and a custodian of the public image of this noble association, I hereby issue a 48-hour ultimatum to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to immediately:

“1.Publicly retract the offensive statement.

“2.Tender an unreserved apology to Nigerian students nationwide.

“3.Provide verifiable data supporting the claim or withdraw it entirely.

“4.Commit to more responsible public communication that does not incite bias against students.

“Failure to comply within the stipulated period will compel Nigerian students to activate lawful democratic actions, including coordinated peaceful protests, petitions, media engagements, and nationwide mobilization to defend the honour and rights of students across the country.”

Olugbemi noted that Nigerian students would no longer remain silent while reckless narratives are used to malign their identity and expose its members to persecution.

“We demand respect, fairness, and accountability from all public institutions.

“An injury to one student is an injury to all. The dignity of Nigerian students is non-negotiable,” the statement further reads. (The Sun)