The Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) has denied that it is seeking the permission of the Federal Government to allow its personnel bear arms.
A representative of the Corps Marshal of the FRSC at the passing out parade of the cadets of the Corps at the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora, Niger State, on Saturday, Shehu Zaki was quoted to have said that “it is left to the political leaders to arm the FRSC, but what we do know is that the issue of the FRSC bearing arms has been on our status since 1992.
“What we are still waiting for is for us to be given the go-ahead to start using arms.
“Right now, looking at the level of insecurity in the country, it is not out of place for the FRSC to start using arms to enable us protect ourselves when the need arises.”
However, is a statement issued on Sunday by the Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, the FRSC strongly dissociated the Corps Marshal, Mr. Dauda Biu and the management of the Corps from Zaki’s position.
Part of the statement reads:
“The attention of the FRSC has just been drawn to a report that the Corps Marshal is seeking the permission of the Federal Government for the personnel of the Corps to bear arms.
“The said erroneous statement credited to the representative of the Corps Marshal at the passing out parade of cadets at the Nigeria Army Training Centre, Kotangora, Niger State, does not reflect the current position of the Corps Marshal and the management team.
“Members of the public should therefore take note
There have been speculations that the top management of the Corps were working to secure approval for its personnel to carry firearms, especially as the security situation in Nigeria continues deteriorate.
Security experts and sections of the Nigeria public have at several occasioned vehemently opposed arming the Corps saying that there were already too much arms in circulation in Nigeria.
A total of 1,762 personnel of the FRSC passed out from their four-month basic course at the NATRAC.
According to sources in the NATRAC, among those who completed the training were 204 cadet officers, 402 cadet marshal inspectors and 1,156 road marshal assistants.