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The Eastern Updates has gathered that Nigerians have dismissed the bill proposing to arm personnel of the Federal Road Safety Commission, reflecting widespread public disapproval.
They warned that granting road safety personnel the right to bear arms could endanger the lives of motorists, passengers, and other road users, escalating tensions on the highways.
On October 10, 2024, the House of Representatives successfully passed the bill during its second reading, paving the way for the formation of a specialized armed unit within the Federal Road Safety Commission.
The bill, co-sponsored by Abiodun Adesida from Ondo and Olaide Lateef from Oyo, proposes changes to the Federal Road Safety Commission Act of 2007 to boost the commission’s efficiency in its operations.
The bill, currently under consideration by the House Committee on FRSC, is partly driven by statements made a year ago by former Corps Marshal Dauda Biu, who emphasized the necessity for FRSC personnel to be armed in light of increasing security concerns across Nigeria.
At the time, Biu noted that arming FRSC officers would protect personnel, who were often attacked by criminals and some road users.
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Speaking with Journalists, the President of the Joint Drivers Association of Nigeria, Akintade Abiodun, urged the House of Representatives to drop the bill in the interest of public safety.
According to him, curbing traffic offences, which is the FRSC’s core duty, does not require firearms. He warned that arming the officers could pose a danger to road users.
He said, “We disagree with the bill, and it should be dropped. What do road safety officers need guns for? We have been obeying them without guns, so there is no need for them to be armed. They are bound to abuse or misuse the guns, thereby endanger the lives of road users, especially drivers and passengers.
“All members of the Joint Drivers Association of Nigeria are law-abiding citizens, and we have been respecting and obeying road safety officers. So, I see no reason for them to carry guns. They just want to complicate the problems of this country because they are bound to abuse it.
“Drivers are not criminals; any misconduct is usually within the realm of traffic offences. Why do you need to curb traffic offences with guns? Whose interests are they protecting?”
Also, the Secretary of the Park Management System in Oyo State, Kasali Ajisafe, condemned the bill, describing it as a bad idea.
“Why should road safety officers be using guns? There is no need for it. We reject the bill because it is dangerous. If road safety officers carry guns, they could end up killing innocent people. It is not safe for drivers, passengers, or other road users,” he stated.
A vehicle owner, Akin Akanji, questioned the timing of the bill given the ongoing economic hardship.
He said, “Is that really important to discuss right now? Why are our lawmakers so insensitive to our plight? We are facing hardship; people are dying of hunger, and many are sick and unable to afford drugs. Yet, lawmakers think it’s a priority to give guns to road safety officers, who could become a threat to us. That’s thoughtless.”
