The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), on Tuesday, threatened to shut down any command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) that impounds its official vehicles.
The student body said it received with great dismay the recent pronouncement by the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, directing his officers to arrest and impound vehicles belonging to NANS structures.
In a statement signed by the Clerk of the Senate, NANS National Headquarters, Oladimeji Uthman, which was made available to journalists in Ibadan, the body said the directive to impound NANS’ vehicles was not only disrespectful but also an affront to its structured movement.
Uthman warned that if any FRSC command proceeded to implement this unjust directive by arresting or impounding NANS vehicles—whether at the national, zonal, JCC, NAPS, NAUS, NANCES, or SUG level—,it would mobilize “our armless battalions and stage a massive protest to defend our rights. We will not tolerate any form of disrespect towards our organisation.
Uthman warned that if any FRSC command proceeded to implement this unjust directive by arresting or impounding NANS vehicles—whether at the national, zonal, JCC, NAPS, NAUS, NANCES, or SUG level—,it would mobilize “our armless battalions and stage a massive protest to defend our rights. We will not tolerate any form of disrespect towards our organisation.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has received with great dismay and utmost concern the recent pronouncement by the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, directing his officers to arrest and impound vehicles belonging to NANS structures.
“The directive to impound vehicles that belong to NANS is not only disrespectful but also an affront to our structured movement. Mobility remains a crucial part of our activities, enabling us to engage in advocacy, attend critical programs, and carry out our day-to-day responsibilities.
“We view this pronouncement as an attempt to undermine our operations and frustrate the representation of Nigerian students across all levels.”
He called on the FRSC to invite the leadership of NANS for a constructive dialogue in the spirit of mutual respect and in the interest of maintaining peace and order, saying, “Engaging in meaningful discussions will help to address any concerns amicably, rather than creating unnecessary tensions that could lead to avoidable confrontations between NANS and FRSC officials.”
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He reiterated the commitment of NANS to the protection of Nigerian students’ interests, adding that, “we will continue to uphold responsive and responsible leadership in our engagements with various government agencies.”
