The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has suspended its planned June 12 nationwide protest with claims that the protest is about being hijacked by politicians.
The President of the association, Asefon had announced the suspension on Friday in Abuja.
Giving reasons for the suspension, Asefon said some politicians with “different agenda” have perfected plans to hijack the protest to “ventilate their political opinions and sentiments”.
According to the Asefon in a statement, the planned protest was aimed at decrying the insecurity in the country, especially the serial abductions of students.
“Having considered the current security realities and the danger to the lives of our members in case of possible hijack of the planned protest, I in consultation with all the structures of NANS, therefore, announce the suspension of our proposed protest for June 12.” He explained.
“The suspension of the protest is necessary to avoid a clash of interest and clash with security agencies that are on red alert to protect the nation’s infrastructures from security breaches on the proposed date as a result of many other protests slated for the date. We intend to protest for better security and improved welfare for our students, we must therefore not put the life of any of our students at risk to ventilate our grievances.” He added.
He further explained that the protest was not cancelled but postponed, as a new date would be announced for the demonstration later.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government yesterday declared Monday, June 14, as a public holiday to mark this year’s Democracy Day.
The government also warned against agitations capable of threatening the peace of the country.
In the same vein, the police have beefed up security nationwide to forestall any violence over the protest.
Security agencies have been given orders to enforce roadblocks and stop-and-search in major cities to prevent mass movements, which could “undermine national security.”
“Soldiers have been put on high alert against Biafra and Oduduwa republics’ agitators. The government is wary of a repeat of #EndSARS and has asked the military to frustrate mass movements and protests by taking over the major roads and conducting stop-and-search,” a source revealed.
