NANS Rejects Firearms Bill for FRSC, Warns of Public Risk

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed strong opposition to a proposed bill currently before the National Assembly that seeks to empower operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) with firearms. The students’ body argued that the measure, if passed, could transform the road safety agency from its statutory role of traffic management into a quasi-security force, thereby endangering the lives of ordinary commuters.

NANS Raises Alarm Over Firearms Proposal

NANS, in a statement addressing the matter, cautioned lawmakers against what it described as the “militarization of road safety.” The association maintained that the introduction of firearms would not only be unnecessary but also dangerous, as it risks escalating routine traffic checks into violent confrontations.

According to the students’ body, young Nigerians and students constitute a significant portion of those who use public transport daily, making them particularly vulnerable to the excesses of armed road safety operatives. NANS warned that incidents of harassment, extortion, and misuse of authority could multiply if firearms are introduced into traffic control duties. The association stressed that its stance was motivated by a desire to safeguard citizens from possible abuses of power and to preserve the original purpose for which the FRSC was established.

FRSC’s Core Mandate Questioned

In further criticism of the proposal, NANS questioned the rationale behind equipping the FRSC with firearms when its mandate is distinct from that of conventional security agencies. The students’ body pointed out that the FRSC was created primarily to ensure road safety through education, regulation, and enforcement of traffic laws, not through armed enforcement.

The association argued that introducing firearms would blur the line between the responsibilities of the police, military, and the road safety corps, leading to confusion and potential jurisdictional conflicts. It noted that traffic management requires professionalism, civility, and a focus on prevention, rather than force or intimidation. By shifting emphasis towards firearms, NANS said the agency would lose sight of its foundational objectives of saving lives on Nigerian roads.

Call for Alternative Reforms

Rather than pursuing legislation to authorize the use of firearms, NANS urged the government and the National Assembly to direct resources toward reforms that would enhance the effectiveness of the FRSC. The students’ body suggested improved officer training, acquisition of advanced traffic management technologies, and better welfare for personnel as more practical solutions to the challenges facing the agency.

According to NANS, these measures would strengthen public confidence in the FRSC, reduce accidents, and improve compliance with road regulations without introducing the risks associated with firearms. The association reiterated that Nigeria’s highways need safety, education, and infrastructure improvement—not militarization.

The opposition by NANS underscores a growing public debate on whether security-style approaches are suitable for civilian-focused institutions like the FRSC. While the bill remains under consideration, the students’ body has called on lawmakers to reject it in the interest of preserving both road safety and public trust.