FRSC carrying arms: Rights lawyer kicks against bill passage by NASS

…insists corps is to educate, enforce traffic in calm manner, not to instill fear, kill on traffics

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Nigerian National Assembly has been called upon to reject the proposed bill seeking to arm officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission( FRSC).

A human rights and constitutional lawyer, Sir Ifeanyi C. Ejiofor made the passionate call in a rel he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

Stressed that any attempt to turn a civilian agency responsible for traffic management into an armed force poses a serious risk to public safety and threatens to escalate violence on our roads.

The rights lawyer maintained that the country cannot afford to witness another tragic consequence of armed officials misusing their power against the intent of the law establishing them which is to guide, educate, and enforce traffic regulations in a calm, orderly manner; not to incite fear or foster an environment of intimidation.

The statement reads, “The proposed bill to arm the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is deeply troubling and should be rejected. This attempt to turn a civilian agency responsible for traffic management into an armed force, poses a serious risk to public safety and threatens to escalate violence on our roads.

“We have already witnessed the tragic consequences of armed officials misusing their power. Instances of trigger-happy law enforcement officers have marred the nation’s peace, leading to the needless loss of innocent lives.

“Majority of them have turned their various checkpoints across the states into mobile ATM Machine. Oftentimes, non-compliance with their illegitimate demand to part with one’s hard-earned stipends at their various checkpoints usually lead to untimely death of citizens.

“Allowing the FRSC to carry guns will only increase the likelihood of such tragic incidents.

“We also need to think about the psychological impact of arming road safety officials. The main duties of the FRSC as clearly defined under the law establishing the Agency, are to guide, educate, and enforce traffic regulations in a calm, orderly manner; not to incite fear or foster an environment of intimidation.

“When we are deliberately raising the possibility of violence on our highways, how can we say that we are protecting public safety?

“Instead of arming the FRSC, the FRSC should invest in contemporary technology, improved training, and coordination with security agencies to address the underlying causes of insecurity. Hence, I urge all well-meaning citizens to reject this bill in its entirety. The focus should be to ensure our roads remain a place of safety, not a battlefield.”

“It is imperative that lawmakers and other elected leaders focus on pressing issues bedevilling the country,” he added.