NANs Suspends June 12 Protest Over ‘Possible Hijack By Politicians’

The National Association of Nigerian Students has suspended its planned June 12 nationwide protest.

The association said the protest was aimed at condemning insecurity in Nigeria, most especially the continuous abduction of students.

The association’s President, Sunday Asefon, made the announcement in a statement on Friday.

The statement was titled ‘NANS Susupends June 12 Protest Over Concerns About Safety Of Protesters And Fear Of Possible Hijack By Politicians’.

“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 said.

According to Asefon, some politicians with a different agenda have perfected plans to hijack the protest to air their political opinions and sentiments.

He said the suspension was necessary to prevent a clash of interest as well as a clash with security operatives.

He also said the protest was not cancelled but postponed, adding that a new date would be communicated for the protest.

“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 infrastructure 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 said.