The Kano Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has criticized human rights attorney Abba Hikima Fagge for comments they claim could incite public unrest. This dispute follows a Federal High Court verdict that limited the agency’s authority on roads managed by Kano State and its local government councils.
FRSC spokesperson A.A. Labaran informed DAILY POST that the lawyer’s interpretation of the ruling is flawed, specifically regarding the classification of state versus federal roads. Labaran warned that urging residents to confront FRSC officers could trigger significant civil disruption. He emphasized that roughly 90 percent of key routes in Kano—including the Western Bypass, Airport Road, and the Kano-Kaduna highway—remain under federal control.
In contrast, Fagge maintains that the court mandate is binding. Via social media, the lawyer asserted that if FRSC personnel continue to operate on state roads, citizens are legally permitted under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015 to conduct citizen arrests for perceived harassment and extortion. Fagge argued that officers on state roads function as civilians rather than authorized officials.
The FRSC has confirmed its legal department intends to contest the decision at the Court of Appeal. Labaran stated that the agency is dissatisfied with the ruling, which was issued by Justice M.S. Shuaibu on July 16, 2026. The judge had previously ruled that the FRSC’s presence on certain metropolitan roads infringed upon the constitutional right to freedom of movement.
