FG warns against spate of attacks on security agencies

The Federal Government on Monday said it would no longer tolerate the spate of lawlessness and attacks on law enforcement agents by members of the public.

Dr Habitat Lawal, the Acting Secretary to the Government of the Federation, gave the warning at a management strategic session of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Abuja.

Represented by Dr Ugo Roy, the Permanent Secretary (General Services) in the office of the SGF, Lawal reminded all security agencies of their duty to ensure that citizens obeyed the laws of the land.

She urged citizens to submit to rules and regulations, adding that the law enforcement agencies were there to secure their lives and property.

“This nation can longer tolerate flagrant disobedience to laws, assault, maiming, killing as well as abduction of security operatives.

“If the rate at which citizens contravene laws and regulations is not checked, then the nation may lapse into dire strait.

“It is, therefore, the duty of all security agencies, including the FRSC, to ensure that the citizens of this nation adhere to rules and regulations.

“All security agencies must collaborate while Nigerians must equally realise that the agencies are on duty to protect their lives and property,” she said.

The acting SGF, who supervises the FRSC, spoke against the backdrop of recent attacks against personnel and facilities of the commission in parts of the country.

Over 10 cases were recorded in July alone prominent among which was the shooting of two FRSC officials by security operatives attached to the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly in Aba.

The acting SGF urged the FRSC management to rise up to the challenge by being firmer in enforcement of the law and with its commanding officers and the rank and file.

Lawal also enjoined the commission to work closely with the federal and state ministries of Justice to ensure that traffic law offenders were prosecuted.

“FRSC must remain diligent, firm and fair in the discharge of its duties. You must not allow the so-called `sacred cow syndrome’ to tarnish your good image.

“You must also put in place checks on field operatives so that they stay within operational procedures and guidelines,’’ she said.

She stated that the federal government was aware of the challenges facing the commission, and was working toward solving them in addition to remaining solidly with them in the discharge of their duties.

The Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, said the forum was in continuation of the interaction between the management and commanding officers toward actualising the 2017 strategic goals of the Commission.

The session, he explained, was an opportunity for management and officers to share ideas and experiences, and review their operational activities in the last one year to chart the way forward.

On the spate of attacks on FRSC officials, Oyeyemi urged the commanding officers to be more vigilant in their commands and expand the frontier of their collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

“I urge you to improve on your consultation with relevant stakeholders especially the transport unions and maintain closer inter-agency collaboration with the security agencies in the states for prompt response in time of distress.

“Accordingly, you must guide staff to prepare well against any form of violence against them and humiliation by either the civil populace or members of the security agencies.

“This, they can do, by being comported, disciplined and loyal to the system at all times.

“You must not condone from staff, acts of indiscipline, indolence, rumour mongering, anonymous petition writing and anything that could undermine the integrity and positive image of the commission,’’ he said.

Oyeyemi commended the federal government for its sustained support to the commission as shown in the reduction of road accidents in the last seven months.