A security analyst and leader of the Arewa Youths for Peace and Security, Comrade Salihu Mahmud, has disapproved of a bill in the House of Representatives seeking to grant arms-bearing authority to a portion of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Mahmud described the proposal as a contradiction to the global traffic enforcement standards.
He called on lawmakers to reject the proposal, stating, “It violates the concept of traffic enforcement and control all over the world.”
The Arewa youth leader pointed out that police traffic wardens, who existed before the establishment of the FRSC, do not bear arms. “Why should the FRSC, created by Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, be any different?” he questioned.
He explained that the FRSC, established by a decree from General Ibrahim Babangida in 1988, was originally intended to reduce road accidents.
“Over time, the FRSC has deviated from its original mandate and has become an unofficial revenue-generating agency,” he said, citing the collection of fines for various traffic violations.
“If the FRSC is justifying danger on highways, how? They can seek police protection or that of the civil defence, which has an arms squad,” he said.
Salihu stressed the importance of adhering to international best practices.
“If the bill is allowed to pass, it could make us a laughingstock, a country where anything goes,” he warned.
He also raised concerns about the potential for abuse, citing past incidents of misconduct by FRSC officers.
“There have been cases of humiliation, manhandling, and maltreatment of offenders by some FRSC officers due to a lack of temper management.
“When they are granted the authority to bear arms, even though it’s a small percentage, they could pull in anger and disgrace themselves,” he said.