By Akinwale Kasali
The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, is set to join the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police and the Civil Defense in carrying arms.
The House of Representatives confirmed that operatives of the FRSC will begin to bear firearms to curtail the excesses of road users, mostly on the highways.
The House’s Committee on FRSC made the disclosure during the Corps’ 2020 budget performance and 2021 budget defence in Abuja.
This move has come as a surprise to Nigerians.
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on FRSC, Hon. Akinfolarin Mayowa, explained that the 1992 Act of FRSC allowed the corps to carry guns, and this hasn’t been implemented, prompting the Committee to give a nod for the FRSC to bear arms as stated in the Constitution.
Mayowa said the implementation had become necessary to ensure laws were obeyed, and to allow the FRSC function effectively.
He disclosed that the committee would meet with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and also write to President Muhammadu Buhari to implement the Act.
Hon.Solomon Maren, a member of the Committee added that the Committee would discuss the matter with the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, so that there would be a synergy between both institutions.
The lawmaker added that there were more risks on the roads, adding that the FRSC should now bear arms, because of some defiant motorists.
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.
He confirmed that the corps has 280 divisions in all the 774 Local Government Area in the country.
