A legal counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has raised alarm over a proposed bill aimed at arming officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, deeming it an open invitation to chaos on Nigerian roads.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, Ejiofor articulated his deep concerns regarding the legislation, asserting that such a move could lead to an escalation of violence and significantly compromise public safety.
He highlighted the inherent dangers of transforming a civilian traffic management agency into an armed force, warning that this could have catastrophic consequences.
Ejiofor remarked, “Arming the FRSC will only create anarchy and insanity on the roads. Instances of trigger-happy law enforcement officers have marred the nation’s peace, leading to the needless loss of innocent lives.” He further criticized the current practices of some officers, suggesting that many have turned their checkpoints into makeshift extortion points, likening them to “mobile ATM machines.”
Ejiofor pointed out that non-compliance with the often illegitimate demands at these checkpoints can lead to tragic outcomes, stating, “Oftentimes, non-compliance with their illegitimate demand to part with one’s hard-earned stipends at their various checkpoints usually leads to the untimely death of citizens.”
He continued to elaborate on the psychological ramifications of arming road safety officials, stressing that the FRSC’s primary mandate is to guide, educate, and enforce traffic regulations in a peaceful and orderly fashion.
“The main duties of the FRSC, as clearly defined under the law establishing the agency, are to guide, educate, and enforce traffic regulations in a calm, orderly manner, not to incite fear or foster an environment of intimidation,” he asserted.
Ejiofor questioned the rationale behind increasing the potential for violence on the roads, asking, “When we are deliberately raising the possibility of violence on our highways, how can we say that we are protecting public safety?”
Instead of arming FRSC personnel, Ejiofor advocated for investments in modern technology, enhanced training programs, and improved coordination with security agencies to address the root causes of insecurity in the country.
“Hence, I urge all well-meaning citizens to reject this bill in its entirety. The focus should be to ensure our roads remain a place of safety, not a battlefield,” he urged.
He concluded by calling on lawmakers and other elected officials to prioritize pressing issues that affect the nation, emphasizing the need for a safer and more secure environment for all citizens.
