The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, has said it will appeal the judgment of the Federal High Court in Kano which barred its personnel from operating on state and local government roads, restricting their jurisdiction strictly to federal highways.

‎‎The ruling, delivered on Thursday by Justice M. S. Shuaibu, followed a suit filed by Barrister Abba Hikima, a Kano-based lawyer.

‎‎Hikima had challenged the Corps after its operatives mounted checkpoints on township roads in Kano in July 2025, stopping motorists allegedly without any traffic offences.

‎‎In his judgment, Justice Shuaibu held that FRSC officers acted outside their statutory powers by operating on state roads, ruling that such actions violated citizens’ constitutional rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement under Sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

The court granted all the reliefs sought by Hikima, including a perpetual injunction restraining FRSC from operating on state and local government roads in Kano, an order directing the corps to publish a public apology in a national newspaper, and an award of ₦800,000 in damages and costs.

‎Reacting to the ruling, the FRSC, through CRC Abdullahi Aliyu Labaran, Public Education Officer for the Sector Commander, said while it respects the judiciary, the judgment has been misinterpreted in public discourse.

‎The Corps stressed that the ruling does not abolish its statutory powers under the FRSC Establishment Act, 2007, but only limits its jurisdiction in Kano to federal highways.‎

‎It listed major federal roads under its coverage, including the Kano–Zaria Road, Kano–Katsina Road, Kano–Maiduguri Road, Kano Western Bypass, Airport Road, and Murtala Mohammed Way.

‎The Command expressed concern over social media posts encouraging motorists to resist its patrol operatives, warning that such actions could incite confrontation, disrupt public order, and endanger lives.

‎FRSC further argued that its defence was not adequately considered during the proceedings, hence its decision to appeal.

‎‎Pending the appeal, the corps assured the public that it will continue to discharge its duties professionally and lawfully on federal roads in Kano.

‎It urged motorists to cooperate with its personnel and avoid being misled by what it called “online interpretations” of the ruling. (Daily Trust)

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