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NANS’ politicisation and the unjustified campaign against WAEC, By MaryJane Achimugu

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There was once a time when the mention of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) evoked respect, admiration, and even a measure of awe. It was the umbrella body that nurtured and propelled some of Nigeria’s finest minds into national service. Names like Lanre Arogundade, Rotimi Amaechi, Opeyemi Bamidele, Francis Shuaibu, Emeka Ezeazu, and Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim remind us of an era when NANS was a noble platform, a bastion of selfless activism, and a voice for truth.

Regrettably, today’s NANS appears to have moved away from that proud legacy. The latest press statement from its leadership, calling for the sack of WAEC’s Head of National Office, Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut, is disappointing and highlights the increased politicisation of what was once Nigeria’s most authentic student movement.

To clarify, WAEC is widely considered a credible and resilient institution in Africa. For over seventy years, it has administered examinations that impact millions of people. While not perfect, its transparent approach to challenges maintains its reputation. Accusations against it, especially those made by a small group claiming to represent students, lack substance and do not accurately reflect the institution’s established track record.

The allegations raised by this faction of NANS lack substantial support. Claims of “systemic failure,” “mass failure,” and “exams conducted late into the night” may be considered strong, but disruptions to examinations, whether due to logistics, weather, or security issues, are not unique to WAEC and do not necessarily undermine the integrity of the process. Furthermore, NANS has not provided any independent evidence to support these broad allegations. As a result, it appears that the group may be acting in response to concerns over WAEC’s rigorous standards rather than clear evidence of wrongdoing.

NANS today seems to operate differently from the past. While it was once guided by ideology and patriotism, there is now a perception that pecuniary interests and external influences play a larger role. Each administration of the body appears increasingly involved in exerting influence, sometimes at the expense of genuine student welfare. This recent vote of “no confidence” in WAEC may be viewed as a political move that undermines the credibility of the association and does a disservice to Nigerian students.

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Dr. Dangut and his team at WAEC deserve commendation, not vilification. The challenges they manage are enormous: conducting exams across multiple states with security concerns, ensuring integrity amid rising cases of exam malpractice, deploying technology to reduce leaks, and restoring confidence in a system that millions of families depend on. That WAEC continues to deliver in the face of these pressures is a testament to strong leadership, not failure.

If today’s NANS drew inspiration from its forebears, it might focus on constructive engagement, offering thoughtful solutions, collaborating with WAEC to reduce malpractice, and advocating for policies that make education more affordable and accessible. While its recent actions have sparked concern, there remains potential for NANS to prioritise positive advocacy over adversarial approaches.

The tragedy of NANS’ decline is not just its own loss, but a loss to Nigerian society, which once looked to students as the conscience of the nation. When students led, governments listened. When students spoke, people trusted them. Now, when NANS shouts, Nigerians wonder: “Who paid for this press release?”

WAEC must not be distracted. It must continue its reforms, strengthen its processes, and remain focused on its core mission: providing credible and fair assessments for West African students. The voices of a few politicised pretenders cannot drown out the decades of trust that WAEC has earned from millions of families across the region.

The student body might benefit from introspection. NANS could strive to rediscover its noble heritage to strengthen its moral authority to advocate for Nigerian students. In the meantime, Nigerians need to distinguish between genuine advocacy and actions that may be influenced by other factors.

Currently, WAEC remains a symbol of regional cooperation, academic integrity, and institutional resilience. NANS, meanwhile, faces challenges in living up to its significant history and potential.

■ Achimugu contributed this piece from Lagos.

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Police arrest three Anambra women over alleged sale of child for ₦2 million

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The Anambra State Police Command has arrested three women for their alleged involvement in child trafficking and the sale of a four-year-old boy for N2m.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspects, Florence Nnakuzie, 45; Hannah Ugah, 52; and Chinasa Daniel, 27, were arrested by operatives attached to the Awada Divisional Headquarters at a motor park in Onitsha.

Ikenga alleged that the suspects belonged to a child trafficking syndicate that specialised in trafficking children and selling them to buyers for various sums of money.

According to him, the suspects were arrested during a raid on their hideouts on Saturday evening, while other members of the syndicate escaped. He added that some children were rescued during the operation.

The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command, on the evening of July 11, recorded another breakthrough in its sustained fight against child trafficking with the arrest of three female suspects, Florence Nnakuzie, 45; Hannah Ugah, 52; and Chinasa Daniel, 27, at a motor park in Onitsha by police operatives attached to Awada Divisional Headquarters.

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“Preliminary information revealed how Chinasa Daniel allegedly brought two children, a two-week-old baby and a four-year-old child, on two separate occasions between June and December 2025 and handed them over to Hannah Ugah.

“Chinasa further disclosed that the four-year-old child was subsequently handed over to Florence Nnakuzie and allegedly sold for the sum of N2 million, while the two-week-old baby was allegedly sold to another woman, who is currently at large.”

According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, described child trafficking as a grave violation of human rights and a crime against humanity and directed the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for a comprehensive and discreet investigation.

“The CP has also ordered operatives to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend every member of the trafficking syndicate and to commence coordinated operations aimed at locating, rescuing, and reuniting the trafficked children with their biological families.

“The Command appreciates members of the public whose timely and credible information led to the successful operation and urges residents to continue supporting the police with useful intelligence,” the statement added.

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Soldiers intercept illicit drugs on Lagos-Calabar road, arrest driver

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Troops of the 65 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have intercepted a truck conveying a large consignment of illicit drugs along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and arrested its driver.

The interception followed an intelligence-led operation conducted on July 9, 2026, after troops received actionable intelligence from a credible source.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the illicit consignment was being transported to the Berger general area of Lagos State.

“However, the suspect could not provide satisfactory information regarding the ownership or intended recipient of the drugs,” the statement read.

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It added, “In line with established procedures, the suspect and the recovered illicit drugs were subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, for further investigation and prosecution.”

The handover was carried out by the Commanding Officer of the 65 Battalion, Lt. Col. S. Adeojo.

Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Maj. Gen. Adebayo Babalola, praised their vigilance, professionalism and operational effectiveness.

He urged them to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations and intensify efforts to deny drug traffickers and other criminal elements freedom of action within the division’s area of responsibility.

The Army said the operation underscored its continued collaboration with relevant security agencies in tackling drug trafficking and other criminal activities.

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Three brothers charged with murder after beating mother’s boyfriend to death

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Three brothers have been charged with murder in Eswatini after allegedly beating their mother’s boyfriend to death over claims that he was involved in a romantic relationship with her.

The accused — Mlondi Mbuli, 25, Sakhelwe Mbuli, 18, and Lindani Mdziniso, 23 — appeared before the Mbabane Magistrates Court in connection with the killing, which reportedly occurred on June 28, 2026, in Hholoshini, located in the country’s Hhohho Region.

During the hearing, Principal Magistrate Sfiso Vilakati ordered that the three men remain in custody until July 10, 2026, while prosecutors prepare to transfer the case to the High Court, where murder cases are typically tried.

According to investigators, the suspects allegedly attacked the victim, identified as Njabulo Ngwenya, using bricks, stones, sticks, punches and repeated kicks, inflicting injuries that proved fatal.

Police believe the alleged assault stemmed from accusations that Ngwenya was having an affair with the
brothers’ biological mother.

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The incident came to the attention of authorities after Sibongile Motsa reported finding her son dead inside her sister’s home in the early hours of June 28.

Court documents state that Motsa discovered Ngwenya’s body at about 1 a.m. before notifying the Royal Eswatini Police Service, which subsequently launched an investigation and arrested the three suspects.

Following their first court appearance, the accused were remanded in custody pending the next hearing and the formal transfer of the matter to the High Court.

Authorities have not disclosed additional information beyond the facts presented during the initial court proceedings.

The case has drawn widespread public interest across Eswatini as investigations continue.

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland before Mswati III officially renamed the country in 2018, is a landlocked nation in southern Africa bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. Under the country’s judicial system, serious criminal offences such as murder are generally transferred from the Magistrates Court to the High Court after the initial hearing.

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