Operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have been given the nod to bear firearms with a view to enabling them curtail the excesses of road users in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on FRSC, Akinfolarin Mayowa during the corps’ 2020 budget performance and 2021 budget defence, on Thursday in Abuja.
Mr Mayowa who explained that the 1992 Act of FRSC allowed the corps to carry guns, added that the implementation had become necessary to ensure laws were obeyed and to allow the FRSC function effectively.
He also 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.
Delivering his submission, a member of the committee Solomon Maren, said there were more risks on the roads, adding that it was about time the FRSC bore arms.
He also noted that the committee would discuss the matter with the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.
Not to be left out, FRSC Corps Marshall, Boboye Oyeyemi lamented incidents in which motorists threatened personnel on duty.
According to him, the safety of officers can be assured and roads will become safe if operatives bear arms.
He also confirmed that the corps has 280 formations, with presence in nearly all the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
