By Aisha Muhammad Magaji
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has renewed its call for government approval to arm its operatives, citing rising cases of violent attacks against personnel while enforcing traffic laws across the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the Corps Marshal, Dauda Ali Biu, said the safety of officers has become a pressing concern, with several losing their lives or sustaining injuries in the line of duty.
“Our men are being attacked daily by criminals, reckless drivers, and in some cases, armed hoodlums. We cannot continue to send them out unprotected. This is why we are appealing once again for the government to grant us the right to bear arms,” Biu stated.
Data released by the Corps indicates that at least 25 FRSC personnel have been killed and over 70 injured in the past three years in incidents ranging from mob attacks to confrontations with armed transport operators.
Biu explained that while the FRSC’s primary role is not combat-related, the realities of Nigeria’s highways where insecurity and lawlessness often intersect—have created a need for officers to defend themselves.
The demand for firearms by the FRSC is not new. Previous Corps Marshals have made similar appeals, but successive governments have been reluctant to grant the request, arguing that arming road safety officials could militarize the agency and escalate tensions with motorists.
However, Biu insists that the request is strictly for defensive purposes. “We are not seeking arms to intimidate law-abiding citizens. We want to protect our officers from criminals who see them as easy targets,” he clarified.
When contacted, officials at the Ministry of Interior said the matter is under review, but stressed that the government remains cautious.
An unnamed senior official noted: “We understand the FRSC’s concerns, but arming them requires legal, logistical, and security considerations. There must be proper training, accountability, and oversight.”
The proposal has sparked debate among Nigerians. Some motorists expressed support, saying the move would deter attacks on FRSC personnel and restore order on highways.
“If police and civil defence officers carry arms, why not road safety? They are human beings too, and criminals don’t respect uniforms,” said Mr. Ibrahim Musa, a commercial driver in Kaduna.
Others, however, warned that giving arms to FRSC could lead to abuse and worsen harassment of drivers.
“They already intimidate drivers with fines and threats. If you add guns to that, it could be dangerous,” argued Mrs. Kemi Alade, a lawyer and road user in Lagos.
Security analysts say the debate reflects the broader challenge of insecurity in Nigeria. Dr. Kabir Oladipo, a criminologist, explained: “The fact that FRSC is even asking for arms shows how bad highway security has become. The real solution is not to arm everyone but to strengthen inter-agency cooperation and improve policing.”
He suggested that FRSC officials could work more closely with armed police patrols rather than bear arms themselves.
In the meantime, the FRSC says it is enhancing non-lethal defense strategies, including training officers in conflict de-escalation, deploying body cameras, and increasing collaboration with security agencies.
But Biu maintained that without firearms, FRSC officials remain vulnerable. “We cannot continue to watch our officers die in the line of duty. This appeal is about their right to life and protection,” he said.
As the debate continues, the federal government faces a delicate balancing act between ensuring the safety of FRSC operatives and preventing an over-armed security landscape.
For now, the call underscores the broader reality of Nigeria’s insecurity crisis, where even traffic regulators are no longer safe on the nation’s roads.
