By Adesina Wahab

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone B South-South, led by Comrade Victor Ogechukwu Anthony, has given the Bayelsa State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), seven days to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible for the gruesome murder of Comrade Stanley Okebaram.


Okebaram, a serving corps member in Bayelsa State and former Students’ Union President of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, was recently brutally murdered while serving his fatherland in Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.


His lifeless body was later discovered abandoned near a river in his host community, a development that has sent shockwaves across the Nigerian student community.


According to Anthony, “The leadership of NANS Zone B South-South unequivocally condemns this heinous and barbaric act. It is unacceptable that a young Nigerian, who answered the national call to serve his country, would have his life cut short under such horrific circumstances. This unfortunate incident raises serious concerns about the safety and security of corps members deployed across the country.


“We express our heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Comrade Stanley Okebaram, the students of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, the entire Nigerian student community, and all who have been devastated by this tragic loss.


“NANS Zone B South-South hereby calls on the Bayelsa State Government to demonstrate genuine commitment by ensuring that every available security and investigative resource is deployed to uncover the perpetrators of this crime. We equally charge the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a thorough, transparent, and unbiased investigation without compromise or external influence. The NYSC management must also actively collaborate with security agencies to ensure justice is served.


“Accordingly, the leadership of NANS Zone B South-South gives the Bayelsa State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, and the NYSC seven (7) days from the date of this statement to make significant and verifiable progress in arresting the killers and commencing the process of prosecution.


“Failure to achieve meaningful results within this stipulated period will leave NANS Zone B South-South with no option but to mobilize Nigerian students across the South-South region and beyond to embark on lawful and democratic actions aimed at demanding justice for our fallen comrade. We shall not fold our arms while the life of a Nigerian student is treated with disregard.


“Furthermore, we call on residents of Nembe, members of the host community, fellow corps members, and every well-meaning Nigerian with useful information to cooperate fully with the security agencies to ensure that those behind this dastardly act are brought to justice.


“The blood of Comrade Stanley Okebaram must not cry in vain. Justice must be swift, impartial, and decisive.”