By Tochukwu Jimo Obi
As the debate on whether the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) should bear arms continues to trend, the Corps has defended its renewed call for personnel to be armed, citing growing threats to the safety of its operatives. Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed stressed that this measure is not intended for routine traffic control, but as a protective tool for specially trained squads tasked with safeguarding FRSC facilities, infrastructure, and personnel in dangerous situations.
According to him, the decision to arm a section of the Corps is primarily a safety measure. Many FRSC officials are increasingly exposed to violent motorists, some of whom deliberately attack or knock them down while carrying out patrol operations. The Corps Marshal explained that without the necessary power to enforce safety laws, it becomes difficult to manage high-risk situations such as stopping trailers overloaded with passengers or vehicles transporting hazardous materials.
The demand for FRSC personnel to bear arms is anchored on several pressing realities such as Protection of Operatives who face daily harassments and violent attacks daily in the line of duty.
Several FRSC operatives have lost their lives while working tirelessly to ensure safer roads. Protecting these men and women is both a moral and institutional obligation.
Violent road users, including reckless drivers and those involved in criminal activities, pose an increasing risk, hence arming FRSC operatives will curb this.
Without means of self-defense, FRSC personnel are vulnerable targets during enforcement exercises.
Managing Dangerous Vehicles like Stopping trailers and other heavy-duty vehicles, especially when overloaded with passengers or hazardous materials, is a task that often requires more than verbal persuasion. Weapons, when handled responsibly, can serve as a deterrent and ensure compliance with road safety laws.
Since the FRSC Establishment Act already empowers the Corps to bear arms. What remains crucial is the training and discipline of a designated squad to handle firearms with professionalism, thereby preventing cases of misuse or accidental discharge that have marred other arms-bearing agencies.
The conversation is not about turning every FRSC operative into an armed officer, but about creating a well-trained, professional arms squad to handle life-threatening scenarios. With adequate training, proper supervision, and accountability, the risks of abuse can be minimized while the safety of operatives and the public is maximized.
At its core, this call is about valuing human life. Every FRSC officer who dies in the line of duty leaves behind grieving families and communities. Equipping them with the means to protect themselves and enforce safety laws is not just a matter of policy it is a matter of justice.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with road safety challenges, empowering the FRSC to bear arms may prove to be a decisive step in saving lives, securing national infrastructure, and ensuring that those who risk their lives daily to keep our roads safe are not left defenseless.
