The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, says arming road safety operatives may be the only way to enforce traffic laws effectively on Nigerian highways.
Speaking on Arise News on Thursday, Mohammad painted a vivid picture of the difficulties his men face when trying to stop heavy-duty vehicles.
“How do you stop a trailer or a tanker on the road? How do you just do that? It’s very, very difficult. A truck, especially a truck with probably 100 passengers on top, with animals, and you only have four personnel as a team on patrol, and you’re trying to stop a trailer—how do you do that?” he said.
The FRSC boss opined that without adequate “power of cohesion,” enforcement is nearly impossible.
“It will support. If you don’t have the power to enforce anything, there’s no way you can achieve that enforcement,” he said when asked if arms would help.
Mohammad also addressed charges of bribery and extortion by some operations, which are frequently shared on social media.
He acknowledged the problem but emphasized that the Corps has been harsher than most organizations in disciplining criminals.
“We have more records of termination and dismissal of our personnel because of bribery and corruption,” he explained, adding that the FRSC has a standing standard operating procedure to check misconduct.
The Marshal sought to clarify driver’s license prices after public concerns that authorities were charging more than the official rate.
“For three years, it’s ₦15,000. For five years, it’s ₦21,000. It’s still the same figure, the same amount,” he said.
Mohammad apologized to Nigerians for the difficulty of processing licenses, assuring that a new and improved system will be available soon.
“In the first and second week of October, they will see an enhanced driver’s license and a successful and efficient service delivery,” he assured.
The idea of arming FRSC operatives is not new.
In October 2024, the House of Representatives passed a bill at second reading to establish an Armed Road Safety Corps, a specialized squad under the FRSC with powers to carry weapons and enforce road laws more robustly.
The proposal reflects mounting worries over flagrant traffic violations, road massacre incidents, and the challenges of enforcing on Nigeria’s highways.
Proponents believe that a better-equipped, armed road-safety squad may reduce irresponsible driving, particularly on key highways.
Opponents worry about possible abuse, extortion, intimidation, and increased militarization of traffic patrol.
However, Nigerians have continued to resist a measure in the National Assembly that seeks to establish an armed road safety squad.
