FRSC boss backs bill for personnel to carry weapon

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Federal Road Safety Commission Corps Marshal, Shehu Muhammed, has defended the need for operatives of the commission to carry weapons.

A bill seeking to empower FRSC officers to carry arms has passed its second reading.

The bill focuses on establishing a Road Safety Special Armed Squad with the authority to bear weapons.

However, the bill was not debated by members of the House, as Speaker Abbas Tajudeen described it as a “straightforward bill” and subsequently referred it to the committee on FRSC for further legislative action.

The bill, which has garnered various reactions with some kicking against the development, has been defended by Muhammed during an interview he had with Channels TV on Saturday, October 19.

Muhammed could be heard saying, “This is a very delicate topic, there’s a provision for FRSC to have and hoard arms ab initio, but we are not asking for arms to do enforcement, we are asking for a squad just like other paramilitary.

“The idea is to protect our infrastructures and facilities not to use it for enforcement or patrol, but to protect ourselves, our facilities, our offices, and all we have in the country.”