National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the federal government to put in necessary measures that will prevent the incessant killing of innocent Nigerians, particularly students by truck drivers in the highways.
The students’ body called on the government to as matter of urgency place a ban on trucks and trailers from plying major highways within the hours of 7 a.m to 6 p.m daily.
Besides, NANS gave the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) a seven day ultimatum to comply with their demand or they stage a protest against the government.
In a statement issued and signed by its Vice President on National Affairs, Timileyin Gbenga Ayenuro, he lamented the recent accident caused by a truck driver, which led to the untimely death of eight persons, including a student of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) at Ilara-Mokin along Akure-Ilesha express road.
The AAUA student, identified as Tolulope Omojola was a 400-level student of Chemical Science department and also the President of the Student Chemical Society of Nigeria, AAUA chapter.
The statement reads, “The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the apex students’ body in Nigeria, humbly urges the Federal Government to curb the excesses and accidents now rampant in our nation.
“It is disheartening, pathetic and appalling that ghastly auto accidents is occurring every day in this nation. The situation is unbearable and we can’t cope with it any longer.
“NANS demands that Federal Government should impose a ban on trucks and trailer from plying major highways within the hours of 7am- 6pm daily. They should evacuate from highways during this duration. Motorists now flout road traffic regulations with impunity.
“Our highways have now turned to road-trap, sucking the blood of innocent youths and productive Nigerian students that are potentially capable of changing the fortunes of this country.
“The Federal Government should caution the truck drivers on reckless driving, enforce the strict compliance to traffic laws, thus minimizing road accidents in the nation.
“On May, 2015, 69 people were burnt to death in Onitsha, Anambra state, involving a petrol tanker; seven people were also killed in Lagos-Ibadan auto crash not quite long. Some students of University of Benin were killed by these trailer drivers. In June, 12 Olabisi Onabanjo University students were also sent away from mother earth in June of this year.
“To our utter wonder, these truck drivers also resumed their attacks yesterday by killing a male student of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, through reckless driving, sending him to an early grave.
“How long shall we continue to lose our students to the heartless and evil truck drivers? Their deaths are typical thunderbolt from a blue, serene, sky.
“Finally, NANS states in unequivocal terms, that the apex students’ body is giving the Federal Government, FRSC and other relevant agencies a seven-day ultimatum to meet and fulfill our sacrosanct demand.
“Failure to meet our demand will result to the Nigerian students movement taking to the street in protest until our demands are met”.
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