Video: NILEST DG and students in tense standoff over SUG president’s arrest order

Tension engulfed the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), Zaria, after the institution’s Director-General, Dr. Auwal Mustapha Imam, reportedly engaged in a heated exchange with students following his directive ordering the arrest of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President.

The incident came amid growing controversy over the management’s decision to suspend all activities of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), a move that has continued to generate reactions from students and stakeholders.

Earlier, the institution, through a statement issued by the Director-General’s Media Office on July 29, 2026, announced the immediate suspension of all SUG activities.

The management warned that anyone found parading himself or herself as a Students’ Union Government official would face appropriate disciplinary action and directed all suspended officials to hand over documents, items and properties belonging to the union to the Dean of Students’ Affairs.

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The decision drew criticism from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which expressed dissatisfaction and subsequently visited the institution to engage the management over the development.

However, according to information available to The Historica Nigeria, the situation escalated after the visit when the Director-General allegedly ordered the arrest of the SUG President.

The directive reportedly sparked a chaotic scene on campus as students and union members confronted the management, resulting in a heated verbal exchange between the Director-General and the aggrieved students.

A video clip seen by The Historica Nigeria captured the tense atmosphere, showing students and management officials exchanging words as the situation became increasingly heated.

The reason behind the management’s decision to suspend the Students’ Union Government and other student association activities has yet to be officially explained.

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Efforts by ‘The Historica Nigeria’ to obtain the institution’s official position were unsuccessful. The newspaper contacted the Personal Assistant to the Director-General, Dr. Auwal Mustapha Imam, who said the management would address the media at a later time regarding the reasons for banning the students’ associations and their activities.

As of the time of filing this report, the institution had not issued any further statement on the reported arrest directive or the confrontation, while students continued to seek clarification over the management’s actions.

Details later…

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