The Southwest branch of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the release or formal prosecution of student leader Alalade Bukola Felix. Known as “Machiavelli,” Felix was apprehended by the police following allegations linking him to violence at a local political event. The student body argues that the police must present credible evidence in a court of law rather than holding him indefinitely.
According to the association, officers conducted an early morning raid at Felix’s home, forcibly removing him without providing clear information to his family. While the Osun State Police Command claims to have video footage of his involvement in a violent incident, NANS leadership states that no such evidence was provided during their visits to the command. The group emphasized that an allegation does not constitute a conviction and that the police have a duty to uphold due process rather than bypassing judicial review.
The statement, signed by NANS leaders Adeyemo Josiah, Olugbemi T. Timothy, and Ojetola Babatunde Y., calls on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that local officers act professionally and remain neutral as the state approaches an election period. They stressed that their intervention is not a defense of criminal activity but a demand for the legal rights afforded to all citizens.
NANS warned that if Felix is not charged before a judge or released within the specified timeframe, the organization will mobilize its members for peaceful demonstrations. They maintain that while they support lawful investigations, they will not permit political tensions to serve as an excuse for violating the rights of their members.