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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kwara State Command has reacted to a report of alleged extortion of motorists by the personnel of the command in the state.
The corps in a statement signed by the State Commander, Fredrick Ogidan, admitted that not all FRSC patrol men are saints, saying, however, that the corrupt elements are only shown the way out from time to time.
We recall that a civil society organization, Civil Right and Development Resource Centre (CIRDEV) had earlier lamented over the increase in extortion and lawlessness by FRSC personnel on Kwara roads, most especially in the Ilorin metropolis and called on the state Commander of FRSC to call his officers to order.
The organization in a letter signed by the center’s executive director, Luqman M. Shaffii, and head of legal Services, Olaitan T. N, read in part “The centre regretted that some FRSC operatives who are supposed to protect citizens on the highways have turned into predators, preying on innocent motorists, especially in the Ilorin metropolis.
“These actions are not only illegal but also undermine the credibility of the FRSC. Some of us have personally been a victim of this extortion, and I know many other Nigerians have suffered the same fate. It is high time that something is done to put an end to this menace.
“Furthermore, there should be a concerted effort to retrain and re-orientate the officers of the command on their roles and responsibilities as Road Safety Corps. This will go a long way in restoring public confidence in every corps and the entire commission.”
Reacting to the report, via a statement signed by the FRSC State Commander, Fredrick Ogidan said “As the lead agency in Road Traffic Management in Africa, FRSC is committed to reducing carnages on Nigerian Roads and bring a drastic reduction to road traffic crashes and its attendant deaths.
“In achieving this mandate amongst others, enforcement of Traffic Laws and Violations is the next step after a robust Public Enlightenment which helps us achieve the goal of reducing Road Traffic Crashes and Fatality.
“To this end, FRSC Kwara has been embarking on robust Patrol Operations, Public Enlightenment and Education, and Prompt Rescue Services.
“We would like to place it on record that not all FRSC patrol men are saints; those who are corrupt are shown the way out from time to time.
“Members of the public who are asked to give bribe should resist and inform the command by simply identifying the Patrol Car Code, Route, and the location where they are stopped and the names of the Patrolmen which are printed on their uniforms for appropriate actions,” he said
On the recent court judgment in the case of CA/AS/276/2019 at the court of appeal, where personnel of the agency were restricted to only federal roads, the agency said “We would like to place on record that FRSC is studying the judgment intending to appeal the judgment.
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