The move by the House of Representatives to enact law that would empower the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) to bear arms while working to achieve safety of motorists on the nation’s highways, suffers setback as citizens warn that such law which may be counterproductive and lead to intimidation, harassment and brutalization of road users and motorists must not be enacted because road safety maintenance requires no force of arms
By Augustine Ojeikhoa
On Thursday, October 17, 2024, a Bill to amend the 2007 Road Safety Act which established the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), passed second reading at the House of Representatives. The Bill is seeking to make a law that will empower the FRSC to bear arms while maintaining safety of the Nigerian highways.
However, negative reactions have since then continued to trail the lower legislative chamber’s move to arm the FRSC. Citizens lamented that there have been numerous occasions where operatives of the FRSC have, even without arms harassed, intimidated and assaulted motorists, dragging steering with them and engaging in brutal acts against road users.
Many argued that if the operatives can engage in such brutal acts without bearing arms, it stands to be imagined what they would do under the influence of AK-47 rifles.
Inuwa Moses, who works with a prominent transport company, stressed that when operatives of the FRSC begin to bear arms, it would result in unbridled harassment of motorists, multiple accidental discharges, as well as avoidable deaths.
Moses argued further that limited funds that would be channeled to provide infrastructure for the citizens would be deployed to providing fire arms for the FRSC. He said since the operatives of the FRSC are not engaged in combating criminal elements on the roads, road traffic management does not require arms and ammunition which can be used against the citizens.
The Bill co-sponsored by two All Progressives Congress lawmakers from Ondo and Oyo States, Abiodun Adesida and Olaide Muhammed respectively seeks to establish a Road Safety Special Armed Squad.
The squad will enhance the commission’s ability to prevent and minimise road traffic crashes if the bill scales legislative scrutiny to become law.
Additionally, the proposed legislation aims to grant benefits to corps officers on the rank of Deputy Corps Marshal, including retirement benefits.
This move, according to the lawmakers, will boost morale and motivation among FRSC personnel.
The bill also empowers the FRSC “To manage road traffic administration and safety including preventing and minimising road traffic crashes, supervising users of public roads, and regulating traffic.
“The commission will have the powers to clear obstructions on public roads and educate drivers, motorists, and the public on proper road use.”
Similarly, the House urged the FRSC to adopt modern technology in its operations including technologically-assisted enforcement systems, advanced analytics, and data platforms.
This was a sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by a Kano lawmaker, Garba Ibrahim Muhammad who expressed concerns over the risks posed by physical checkpoints, including potential dangers to commuters.
Checkpoints, according to the lawmaker, create bottlenecks during peak hours, leading to heavy vehicular traffic and delays. He also cited alleged reports of FRSC officials engaging in corrupt practices at checkpoints.
The lawmaker further expressed worry over the FRSC’s practice of running after commuters for traffic offences at high speeds, noting that such practices should not be tolerated in a civilized society.
A prominent Nollwood actress has asked, “Who will protect the citizens?” This is her response to the controversial Bill allowing FRSC officials to carry firearms. Kate Henshaw, the Nollywood actress, spoke out against a proposed bill allowing FRSC staff to carry firearms.
On Monday, October 14, 2024, Henshaw responded via X, expressing alarm about the risks underlining the ongoing campaign against police violence.
Henshaw said, “We are still dealing with police brutality every now and then. Now, they want to add road safety. Who will protect the citizens?” she wrote, opposing the bill.
Many of her supporters agreed, filling the comment section with their own criticisms. One user wrote, “Lowkey, it’s the FG rebranding and re-equipping the FRSC as SARS in disguise. There’ll be no difference. We must speak against it.”
The bill, filed by House of Representatives members, Abiodun Derin Adesida and Olaide Lateef Muhammed both of the All Progressives Congress (APC) proposes to alter the FRSC Act of 2007 to establish the FRSC Special Armed Squad and other reforms to improve the agency’s operations.
It has now passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
In a separate post, Henshaw emphasized the resilience of Nigerians, saying, “We are still standing at a time when our reality is meant to break us… We can’t give up, and we can’t stop trying. That is the resilience of the Nigerian spirit.”
