The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has vehemently rejected the claim made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stating that seven out of ten Nigerian students are involved in cyber crimes.
The association, through its Senate President, Akinteye Babatunde, issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the assertion as baseless and lacking empirical evidence.
In a statement on Monday, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede expressed concern about the alleged high involvement of students in cyber crimes, stating, “It is worrisome that seven out of ten students today are involved in cyber crimes. These are the youths we are preparing to be leaders of tomorrow. The media should not relent in enlightening them on the evils of such criminal practices,” while calling for media enlightenment of youths in the fight against internet fraud.
NANS, in its response, criticized the claim, asserting that it tarnished the reputation of the hardworking and dedicated student community.
The association argued that such a sweeping statement not only lacked concrete evidence but also perpetuated harmful stereotypes.
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NANS emphasized its commitment to the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” and urged the EFCC boss to provide concrete evidence supporting the claim or retract the statement immediately.
The statement from NANS highlighted the consistent excellence demonstrated by Nigerian students in academics, leadership, and community service.
The association called for constructive dialogue and collaboration to address concerns related to criminal activities rather than unfairly stigmatizing an entire group of students.
Babatunde, representing NANS, reiterated the association’s commitment to fostering a positive and conducive environment for learning, growth, and development.
The rejection of the EFCC’s claim underscores the need for evidence-based statements and the avoidance of generalizations that may unfairly label a particular demographic.
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