Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lawyer to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has urged Nigerians to oppose the proposed bill that seeks to arm the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). Speaking to reporters in Owerri, Ejiofor expressed concerns that the legislation, if passed, could exacerbate existing tensions and lead to more tragic incidents across the country.
Ejiofor described the proposal as “deeply troubling,” warning that transforming a civilian agency responsible for traffic management into an armed entity poses a significant risk to public safety. He stated, “This attempt to turn a civilian agency responsible for traffic management into an armed force poses a serious risk to public safety and threatens to escalate violence on our roads.”
He pointed to the past incidents where armed officials misused their authority, leading to the loss of innocent lives. He lamented that many law enforcement officers have turned checkpoints into mobile ATM machines, extorting money from citizens. “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 added.
Ejiofor also highlighted the potential psychological impact of arming road safety officials, emphasizing that the FRSC’s primary roles include guiding, educating, and enforcing traffic regulations in a calm manner, rather than instilling fear. He questioned the logic behind increasing the potential for violence on the highways while claiming to protect public safety.
Instead of arming the FRSC, Ejiofor advocated for investment in modern technology, enhanced training, and improved coordination with security agencies to address the root causes of insecurity. He concluded by urging all concerned citizens to reject the bill, asserting, “The focus should be to ensure our roads remain a place of safety, not a battlefield. Lawmakers and other elected leaders must focus on pressing issues bedeviling the country.”