The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has stated that arming road safety operatives may be the only way to enforce traffic laws effectively on Nigerian highways.
Mohammed, who spoke on Arise News on Thursday, described the challenges his men face when attempting 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 trying to stop a trailer, how do you do that?” he said.
He argued 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.
The FRSC boss also addressed allegations of bribery and extortion by some operatives, which often trend on social media.
He admitted the issue exists but said the Corps has been stricter than most agencies in punishing offenders.
“We have more records of termination and dismissal of our personnel because of bribes and corruption,” he said, noting that the Corps has a standing operating procedure to check misconduct.
On driver’s licence fees, Mohammed clarified that the official charges remain unchanged.
“For three years, it’s ₦15,000. For five years, it’s ₦21,000. It’s still the same figure, the same amount,” he explained.
He apologised to Nigerians for the stress of obtaining licences and promised that a new system would soon ease the process.
“In the first and second week of October, they will see an enhanced driver’s licence and a successful and efficient service delivery,” he assured
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