Federal Road Safety Corps can do without arms  

The proposal to create a Road Safety Special Armed Squad from the existing corps is premature in present-day Nigeria and can end up creating more problems than it tries to solve. Going by the preponderance of illicit arms in circulation, coupled with a high propensity for abuse, it is safer to shelve that proposal, perhaps until further notice. A bill for an Act to amend the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act, 2007, to establish a Road Safety Special Armed Squad that would enable officers of the Road Safety Corps to carry arms in the performance of their duties, has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.

Sponsored by Abiodun Adesida (APC-Ondo State) and Olaide Muhammed (APC-Oyo State), the bill seeks, among other things, to empower the FRSC with responsibility for road traffic administration and safety management. When enacted, the bill will empower the FRSC to supervise public road users, regulate traffic, and remove obstructions on public roads to prevent and minimise road traffic crashes. It also mandates the commission to educate drivers, motorists, and other members of the public on the proper use of public roads and related matters.

In addition to passing its second reading, the bill has been referred to a special Committee on FRSC for further legislative action by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. The Committee recently refuted media claims that it supported Corps members to bear firearms to control motorists and protect themselves from hoodlums who harass them while carrying out their legitimate duties.

Expectedly, this bill has stirred widespread public concerns about increased FRSC intimidation and potential abuses against ordinary Nigerians. Numerous cases exist in which FRSC officials have allegedly abused their powers, using violence, intimidation, and threats to extort money from motorists.

Established by the FRSC Act of 2007, the FRSC was originally designed primarily to ensure road safety through regulation and education, not through force or intimidation. Section 5(h) of the FRSC Act focuses on making Nigeria’s highways safer through vehicle registration, driver licensing, vehicle roadworthiness enforcement, and adherence to the highway code, while Section 14 outlines the equipment FRSC officers are permitted to use, including uniforms, communication gadgets, motor vehicles, and medical supplies. However, section 19 of the Act, provides a conditional right for FRSC officials to bear arms in high-security-risk areas, acknowledging the need to protect officials in certain extreme environments.

There are already too many unmonitored arms in circulation, and many non-state actors are using these arms to cause havoc in Nigeria. The FRSC’s core mandate is to promote road safety and manage traffic, which primarily involves non-combative enforcement such as vehicle inspections, enforcing road laws, educating drivers, and ensuring vehicle standards. Allowing the FRSC to carry arms could raise several concerns that run counter to the agency’s purpose, operational scope, and public safety.

The amendment being considered in the House represents a shift away from the FRSC’s core mandate, Arming the FRSC might signal a shift towards a quasi-military role, which does not align with its original purpose and could lead to a drift away from preventive and educational measures essential in road safety enforcement. The FRSC officers carrying firearms could increase the likelihood of misuse of force and escalate minor infractions into violent confrontations. Incidents of armed confrontations between state actors and non-state actors, as well as between different security agencies like the police or military, are already a concern in the country. Introducing firearms to the FRSC could complicate inter-agency relations and lead to unintended consequences in situations that could otherwise be peacefully resolved.

Importantly, reports in recent years have highlighted cases of misconduct, extortion, and abuse involving FRSC officials. The 2021 report from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) documented the arrest of at least 15 FRSC officials on charges of extorting motorists in states including Adamawa, Gombe, Ondo, and Osun. These arrests were part of a joint anti-corruption operation known as “Operation Tranquility,” conducted by the ICPC, FRSC, and the Department of State Security.

In 2023, further instances of extortion by FRSC officials were reported, this time in collaboration with other security operatives along the Mile 2 road in Lagos. The Lagos State Police, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr. Fatai Tijani, confirmed the arrest of multiple FRSC officials accused of extorting road users with the help of local thugs. Recently, an X user (formerly Twitter), @spoiltkid, shared a video capturing an alleged incident of intimidation involving an FRSC truck in Asaba, Delta State. The video showed an FRSC vehicle overtaking and deliberately blocking a private car, causing an accident. Witnesses criticised the FRSC officials’ actions.

Other reports in 2023 indicted the FRSC for misuse of authority and a disregard for public safety; while recent court judgments significantly reflect the abuses of power and extortion by the FRSC. These incidents reveal a disturbing pattern of abuse by some FRSC officials, casting doubt on whether arming them would lead to a fairer or safer environment for Nigerian motorists. Arming road safety officials already accused of misconduct, violence, intimidation, and extortion on expressways could further aggravate these unwholesome practices, especially against citizens who resist attempts at extortion.

Given the non-combative training of FRSC officials and the potentially inflammable environment of their operations, there is an increased risk of accidental discharge if firearms are introduced, potentially endangering the public, particularly on busy roads or in densely populated areas. Considering the many Nigerians who died due to conflicts with the police, Nigerians are not keen to have armed road safety officials.  Road safety enforcement requires the trust and cooperation of the public. If FRSC officers on the expressways are armed, it could create an atmosphere of intimidation, anxiety, and fear, reducing public willingness to cooperate during routine traffic stops and checks.

Rather than arming FRSC officials on duty, lawmakers and the government at large should take concrete measures to improve the FRSC’s efficiency. First, in this age of advanced technology, the government should leverage technology to assist the FRSC in managing traffic flow and reducing accidents on expressways. The government should also regularly upgrade and maintain road infrastructure, ensuring that road surfaces, traffic lights, and signage are in good condition. It should improve road signs, markings and signals to enhance road safety, with clear signage, especially in high-risk areas, to reduce accidents and facilitate safe driving.

As is done abroad, speed cameras should be installed on high-traffic or accident-prone expressways to monitor speeding and reckless driving. There should be compulsory, regular training for FRSC personnel on traffic laws, traffic management, handling erring motorists, and managing difficult traffic situations. The government should encourage online reporting for traffic violations and community involvement in reporting traffic violations and accidents. To boost public trust, the government should establish a transparent and strict disciplinary process for FRSC officers involved in corruption or abuse of power.

By implementing these strategies, the FRSC can make significant strides toward enhancing its efficiency and building public trust without carrying arms.