KADUNA: The National Association of Polytechnic Students NAPS has declared a three-day nationwide protest over the rising number of fatal accidents linked to Dangote Cement trucks.
According to a statement issued by the association’s Action Committee PRO, Comrade Usman Ibrahimnyass Dende, the protest is scheduled for Monday, August 18, to Wednesday, August 20, 2025, and will be staged across major cities.
According to the students, the demonstrations aim to spotlight recurring road tragedies and demand justice for victims.
The move followed two recent incidents in Auchi, Edo State. On August 12, Miss Ruth Otabor, a fresh graduate of Auchi Polytechnic, had her leg amputated after a collision involving a Dangote truck. Barely five days later, on August 17, another crash reportedly killed three people and injured several others, including students.
NAPS stressed that while road mishaps are frequent nationwide, the alarming recurrence of crashes involving articulated vehicles highlights the urgent need for stricter safety standards and tighter regulation.
The students listed their demands to include immediate suspension and retraining of unsafe drivers; full medical support for Miss Otabor, other injured victims, and their families; livelihood support packages for affected households, construction of pedestrian bridges and speed-control measures in student-dominated areas; stronger collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC to enforce compliance; and, routine safety checks and transparent disciplinary action against defaulting drivers.
Explaining the rationale for the protest, NAPS said it initially sought dialogue with stakeholders but opted for peaceful demonstrations after little progress was made.
“This is not about targeting a company. It is about accountability, safer highways, and protection of lives. We must act to prevent more needless deaths”, NAPS declared.
The student body also urged civil society organizations, religious leaders, and Nigerians at large to rally behind the campaign for safer roads and improved welfare for accident victims.
