By Olawale Ogunbusola, Ibadan

The National Association of Oduduwa Students, NAOS, has condemned the life imprisonment sentence handed to convicted abductors in the Orire Local Government kidnapping case, demanding the maximum punishment permitted under the law.

In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Olalere Benedict Adetunji, and released on Sunday, July 26, 2026, NAOS expressed “profound disappointment” over the judgment.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Judiciary and security agencies in investigating, prosecuting, and convicting the perpetrators, the association said the gravity of the crime warranted a harsher penalty.

“The Orire abduction was not merely a criminal act; it was a brutal assault on innocent citizens, an attack on the sanctity of human life, and a direct threat to the peace and security of our communities,” the statement read.

NAOS said those who terrorize schoolchildren, teachers, and innocent Nigerians through kidnapping and violence have shown complete disregard for humanity and “have forfeited the moral right to live freely among law-abiding citizens.”

The student body argued that justice must not only be done but must also inspire public confidence and serve as a strong deterrent against the growing menace of kidnapping nationwide.

“At a time when criminal elements continue to subject innocent Nigerians to fear, trauma, and untold hardship, the justice system must send an unmistakable message that such acts will attract the severest consequences provided by law,” it added.

As an association committed to the protection of students and the defense of human dignity, NAOS called on relevant authorities to intensify efforts to combat kidnapping, strengthen intelligence gathering, improve community security, and ensure that victims of violent crimes receive justice without compromise.

The association also commended security personnel for their professionalism in the arrest and successful prosecution of the offenders, describing their dedication as “a source of hope in the collective fight against insecurity.”

NAOS reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for a safer Nigeria where every student and citizen can “live, learn, and thrive without fear of abduction or violence.”

“Justice must be firm. Criminality must never be rewarded with leniency. The lives of innocent Nigerians must always remain the highest priority,” the statement concluded.