Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) operatives will begin to bear firearms to curtail the excesses of road users in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on FRSC, Akinfolarin Mayowa, made this known during the corps’ 2020 budget performance and 2021 budget defence, on Thursday, Nov 5, in Abuja.
Akinfolarin Mayowa explained that the 1992 Act of FRSC allowed the corps to carry guns.
He said the implementation had become necessary to ensure laws were obeyed and to allow the FRSC function effectively.
According to him, eradicating accidents on the nation’s highways should be the collective responsibility of all Nigerians, adding that no stone should be left unturned to achieve this.
He further disclosed that the committee would meet with Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and also write to President Muhammadu Buhari to implement the Act.
A member, Solomon Maren, added that the committee would discuss the matter with the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.
The lawmaker said there were more risks on the roads, adding that the FRSC should now bear arms.
FRSC Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, decried incidents where motorists threatened personnel on duty.
Oyeyemi stressed that weapon bearing for protection would curtail violent road users and protect officers.
