FRSC Seeks Power To Arrest Car Passengers

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has expressed disapproval over what it described as “appalling and ridiculous transportation behaviour” by Nigerian road users.

Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Olusegun Ogungbemide, told THE WHISTLER that the commission has identified recurring infractions and is actively addressing them.

He noted that many offenders knowingly violate traffic laws to test enforcement limits.

Ogungbemide explained that traffic violations have become a persistent issue despite ongoing arrests.

“We are very much aware, and this is common with the issues of traffic lights; if you visit our various offices, you will see them being addressed.

“The issue of traffic offences and the transportation sector is just like a church.

“You know every Sunday the pastor calls out for first-timers; it is an indicator that fresh sinners are waiting to be converted. The same applies to the issues of offences on our roads.

“The more we arrest, the more we see newcomers, and the more we also have the reprobate ones who will want to test the waters.

“We have never overlooked it; we have reasons to arrest them; their records are there, and we call it overloading,” he said.

According to him, some offenders feel emboldened by previous escapes from arrest and openly admit their intent to continue flouting the rules.

“Some drivers will tell you that they won’t stop, and on the days they are not arrested, they will make up the money lost. These are reprobate offenders.

“For reprobate offenders, we have their records, based on a series of arrests, and we can also decide not to give fines but rather proceed to court,” he added.

He stated that the Corps monitors repeat offenders through a point-based system.

“When you are booked, the points attached to your offence will also count on your driver’s licence, so the moment it gets to a particular point, either you are suspended or the driver’s licence is withdrawn,” he explained.

Asked about additional strategies to curb traffic offences, Ogungbemide highlighted the judiciary’s critical role in strengthening enforcement.

He said that despite ramped-up arrests and public awareness campaigns, legal gaps hinder the Corps from taking firmer action, especially against passengers in overloaded vehicles.

“I can’t deny this happening; we have gone to their motor parks to enlighten drivers, and those that are still operating on the road will surely face the music.

“There is no other measure apart from public enlightenment and arrest. The only thing that could have helped, which the law has not permitted, is to discourage passengers from boarding an overloaded vehicle.

“But we can’t arrest passengers, because the law has not permitted us to do that; if not, that would have been a better way of discouraging it.

“Because if you know you are part of those perpetrating this atrocity and you are arrested for getting involved, maybe that will also send a signal, but the law again does not permit us,” he noted.

Ogungbemide reiterated that sustained education, continued enforcement, and judicial support remain vital to addressing the crisis.

His remarks followed THE WHISTLER’s investigation into survival tactics adopted by Nigerians amid economic hardship, including commuting inside car boots.