By Victor Nyatse Ajiduku
Human rights lawyer Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor has strongly advised the National Assembly to reject the proposed bill seeking to arm Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers. According to Ejiofor, granting weapons to officers responsible for traffic management would increase the likelihood of violence and wrongful killings at checkpoints. He argues that FRSC’s primary role is road safety, not law enforcement requiring arms, and arming them may turn these officers into a threat to civilians, escalating violence and abuse of power.
Ejiofor expressed concerns that the move could lead to incidents similar to those caused by armed security personnel, particularly at checkpoints where minor infractions might escalate to fatal encounters. He emphasized the need for alternative measures to ensure road safety without arming officers, suggesting that proper training and enforcement of existing laws would be more effective in protecting Nigerians on the roads.
Furthermore, Ejiofor called on lawmakers to prioritize the safety of citizens and resist any attempts to militarize traffic management, stating that such actions would only undermine public trust in the FRSC. He urged the National Assembly to focus on reforming traffic management systems through non-violent means.