The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has appealed to the government for approval to bear arms in order to protect its personnel from attacks by road users and criminals.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Corps Marshal Dauda Biu made the appeal on Saturday while inaugurating 1,762 newly trained personnel in Kontagora, Niger State.
Biu, who was represented by Deputy Corps Marshal Shehu Zaki, said the measure would ensure adequate protection for the personnel who were often attacked in the course of duty by some road users or suspected criminals who take advantage of the security challenges in the country.
He said the FRSC had been seeking approval to bear arms since 1992 and that the level of insecurity in the country had made it more imperative for the corps to be armed.
“Right now, looking at the level of insecurity in the country, it is not out of place for the FRSC to start using arms to enable us to protect ourselves when the need arises,” Biu said.
He urged the newly trained personnel to be dedicated to their duties and to exhibit the highest level of discipline, honour, integrity, accountability, transparency, courtesy, confidentiality, decency, loyalty and team spirit.
Biu also thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for approving the use of the training facility and commended the army trainers for their contribution in ensuring a successful exercise.
