A faction within the National Association of Nigerian Students has debunked claims that the organization is planning a large-scale protest to shut down major cities across Nigeria in response to the recent increase in fuel pump prices.
Earlier on Wednesday, a notice from the NANS Senate President, Okunomo Henry Adewumi, indicated that the group would initiate citywide shutdowns on September 15, 2024, if the fuel price hike was not reversed.
However, this notice was later disclaimed in a statement issued by another NANS Senate President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, who clarified that the student body had not announced or approved such a protest.
The statement dismissed the protest reports as unfounded, asserting that they did not represent the stance or intentions of NANS.
It also called on security agencies to take swift action against those attempting to misuse the NANS name to incite unrest or disturb national peace.
The student body emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of democratic processes and the rule of law, urging a thorough investigation into the source of the misinformation.
The statement also stressed that individuals responsible for spreading falsehoods should be held accountable, as using NANS’ name to promote dangerous and baseless claims poses a serious threat to national security and disrespects the millions of students striving for positive change through legitimate means.
The statement read, “The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has been made aware of rumours and misinformation circulating across various platforms, suggesting that NANS is planning a massive shutdown of major cities across the country.
“We wish to categorically state that NANS has not announced or endorsed any such protest. These reports are entirely baseless and do not reflect the position or intentions of our organisation.”
The statement urged the public to ignore the claims, emphasizing that the sources of these allegations are anonymous.
“We strongly urge the public, the media, and all stakeholders to disregard these false reports. The individuals or groups behind these rumours are faceless entities who seek to exploit the name of NANS for their malicious purposes.
“Their aim is clear: to destabilise the country and create unnecessary tension among citizens. We categorically disassociate ourselves from any such plans or intentions.
“We hereby call on the security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the origin of this misinformation. It is imperative that those responsible for spreading these falsehoods are identified and held accountable. The use of the NANS name to propagate such dangerous and unfounded claims is not only a threat to national security but also a grave disservice to the millions of students who genuinely seek positive change through legitimate means.”
“We urge security agencies to act decisively in apprehending any individuals or groups attempting to use the name of NANS to incite unrest or disrupt the peace of our nation. We must collectively ensure that the integrity of our democratic processes and the rule of law are upheld at all times.
“NANS remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for the rights and welfare of Nigerian students. We will continue to pursue this mission through peaceful, lawful, and constructive channels. Let it be known that NANS stands firmly for peace, progress, and the unity of our nation.
“We appreciate the ongoing support of Nigerian students and the public, and we encourage everyone to remain vigilant and not to fall prey to those who seek to manipulate and mislead for their own selfish gains,” the statement added.
