Proposed armed squad for risky operations – FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps has declared its support for the establishment of an armed squad to protect its officers during operations, particularly in high-risk activities such as night rescues and challenging terrains.

The FRSC said the proposal was driven by increasing attacks, abductions, and assaults faced by its personnel.

Spokesperson for the commission, Olusegun Ogungbemide, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH said the armed squad would also safeguard the corps’ facilities and bolster the nation’s overall security framework.

Ogungbemide emphasised that “firearms would not be necessary for routine patrols but crucial during emergency operations, especially in dangerous environments.”

On October 10, 2024, the House of Representatives passed the bill to create a special armed squad for the FRSC for the second reading.

Jointly sponsored by Abiodun Adesida (Ondo) and Olaide Lateef (Oyo), the bill seeks to amend the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act 2007, to enhance the agency’s operations.

The bill, which has been committed to the House Committee on FRSC for further legislation, follows comments made a year ago by a former Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, who said the corps’ personnel needed to carry firearms due to attacks they encountered at risky environments.

Ogungbemide explained that FRSC personnel work in challenging and often dangerous environments, particularly during night patrols and rescue missions.

He stressed that arming FRSC officers was essential not only for their safety but also to safeguard the corps’ facilities and contribute to the broader national security framework.

“In 2020, 15 cases of assaults and attacks on staff were reported, rising to 22 in 2021. While there were no reported cases in 2022, 2023 saw a sharp rise to 34 incidents. From January to May 2024, 10 cases of assault and attack had already been recorded,” he lamented.