The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly opposed a proposed bill seeking to arm operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), warning that such a move would endanger the lives of commuters and erode public trust.

The bill, which has already passed second reading in the House of Representatives, aims to empower FRSC personnel with firearms in the course of their duties.

In a statement, NANS described the proposal as a “reckless misstep,” insisting that the solution to challenges within the FRSC lies not in weapons but in institutional reform, improved professionalism, better training, and adequate resources.

The student body highlighted persistent issues such as road accidents, bureaucratic delays in driver licensing, and recurring complaints of extortion as evidence that the corps has yet to fulfill its primary mandate of ensuring safety on Nigerian roads.

“Arming road safety officials will not solve these structural problems; rather, it risks exposing motorists and commuters to abuse and misuse of force,” NANS warned.

Civil society groups and security experts have also expressed concern that weaponizing FRSC personnel could further strain Nigeria’s fragile security architecture.

As debates continue in the National Assembly, the call for reform rather than armament appears to be gaining traction among stakeholders.