Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The South-East Zone of the National Association of Nigerian Students has announced plans to temporarily relocate its regional operations to Awka, the Anambra State capital, while threatening an indefinite mass protest that could cripple activities in the city over the continued detention of some of its members. The student body declared that it had exhausted all avenues for dialogue and peaceful engagement, accusing the judiciary of frustrating efforts to secure the release of detained student leaders through what it described as "judicial bullying and harassment."
The development was contained in a directive signed by the NANS South-East Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Ikechukwu, following what the association described as a national directive from the NANS Senate President, Distinguished Senator Ibeabuchi Moses Onyia (IBB). According to the statement issued on Sunday, July 19, 2026, NANS declared that "the window for diplomacy has officially closed," insisting that it would commence "Operation Total Relocation" as part of efforts to pressure authorities into releasing the detained students. The association directed all Joint Campus Committee (JCC) Chairmen and Students' Union Government (SUG) Presidents across Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states to immediately activate their mobilisation structures ahead of the planned action.
"For weeks, NANS has exhausted all avenues of peaceful dialogue, civil engagement, and mutual respect to settle the matter regarding our detained student leaders amicably. Shockingly, our maturity has been misconstrued as weakness," the statement said. "The presiding Magistrate has adamantly closed all doors to an amicable settlement, choosing instead to resort to unabashed judicial bullying, systemic harassment, and flagrant intimidation of Nigerian students."
In a statement to Daily Sun on Friday, July 17, the NANS Senate President, Ibeabuchi Moses Onyia, had alleged that a student leader in Anambra had been detained since July 11 following a dispute with another party which could have been "resolved amicably, through mediation, or through the ordinary and proportionate application of the law." He claimed that a magistrate in the Anambra judiciary had "used the Nigeria Police Force" to keep the student leader in detention and was reportedly "working to resist bail or impose unreasonably stringent bail conditions."
The directive ordered the unconditional relocation of its members from Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states to Awka, declaring Anambra State the temporary headquarters of the South-East student struggle. The association also instructed the Anambra State JCC and campus union leaders to make logistical preparations ahead of the arrival of student protesters, with the mobilisation expected to be completed before Monday, July 20, 2026. NANS further announced plans for an indefinite occupation of Awka, stating that its members would remain on ground until all its demands are met, including the unconditional release of the detained student leaders.
The student body said it would neither retreat nor compromise until justice is served, insisting that Nigerian students would continue to resist any attempt to suppress their constitutional rights. While stressing that the planned action would remain lawful, the student body warned against any form of intimidation of its members during the protest. It called on security agencies in Anambra State to remain professional and ensure the protection of peaceful demonstrators. The association further accused the judiciary of weaponising legal processes against student activists, warning that any further actions against its members would attract a coordinated regional response from students across the South-East.
If implemented as announced, the planned relocation and mass mobilisation could result in significant disruptions to commercial, institutional and public activities within Awka as students from the five South-East states converge on the Anambra State capital in what may become one of the region's largest coordinated student protests in recent years. The NANS External Affairs VP, Comrade Sadiq Zango, has declared total solidarity with the directive of the NANS Senate and called for a peaceful mobilisation in Awka, the state capital, on Monday, July 20, urging students to conduct themselves in line with the traditions of the movement. "This mobilisation should reflect the finest traditions of the Nigerian student movement — discipline, unity, responsibility, and constructive engagement," Zango said, calling on security agencies to ensure that students participating in the lawful activity are treated with professionalism and in accordance with the Constitution.
The directive concluded with a rallying call to student leaders across the region to treat the mobilisation with utmost urgency, reaffirming the association's resolve to continue its campaign until its detained members regain their freedom. The directive declared: "We are ordering a total and unconditional relocation of all Aluta Forces from Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States straight into the capital of Anambra State (Awka). Anambra is now the temporary headquarters of the South-East student struggle. The Anambra State JCC and all institutional SUGs within Anambra State are hereby directed to secure the ground, clear logistical pathways, and prepare to receive the incoming regional forces on or before the morning of Monday, 20th July, 2026."
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