Nigerians have taken to social media to pour out their frustration after the Federal Government officially granted the Federal Road Safety Commission FRSC, the authority to carry arms while on duty.
The FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Boboye Oyeyemi, made this disclosure at the Corps end of the year management strategy session held in Abuja over the weekend.
Oyeyemi stated that the FRSC Establishment Act gives power to the corps to bear arms and that the Federal Government had earlier approved that, with about 5,000 personnel already undergoing training on firearms.
The FRSC boss explained that the increased number of violent attacks and killing of some of its operatives while on duty necessitated the need for officers to bear arms.
According to him, over 70 of FRSC personnel have been killed in 2016 alone as a result of violent attacks by angry motorists.
In his words, “The Act gives power to the Corps to bear arms and 5,000 of our personnel have been trained. We are just waiting for the validation of the earlier approval. Sadly, within the one year, we have lost 70 personnel.
“It is sad to note that some killing and maiming of operatives, including one from a sister agency in close collaboration with the Corps were in the course of official duties.
“A recent occurrence was the happening in Talata Mafara, Zamfara State where a motorist ran into the Mobile Court in session, killing three operatives almost instantly while a Civil Defence operative died later as a result of injuries sustained in the dastardly act.”
However, the news has not gone down well with Nigerian, who have now taken to twitter to vent their anger.
See the tweets below:
FRSC now armed?
Let me go and put my car papers right and In order….
It’s not a joking matter anymore. …— #OTunBaa7 (@otunba7) December 5, 2016
3yrs ago I was travelling and a FRSC official threw a big stick on the windshield of the bus I was in because he didn’t slow down.
— Oluwakayode (@iTameLions) December 5, 2016
By the time this regime ends all the paramilitary outfits in Nigeria would have been #Gunnitized the latest addition is #FRSC we’re in soup
— ÀDÚRÀLÉRÈ||RealKOWA (@Senatortwt) December 5, 2016
Military, defend the country
Police, protect civilians
NSCDC, civil defence
FRSC will start carrying arms to protect/defend what exactly?— gbenga odedele (@gbengaoo) December 5, 2016
Honestly if they were giving guns to KAI, I wouldn’t object this much,why on earth will this government arm FRSC…
— Kofo Cadry (@Kkdkoko) December 5, 2016
I dnt believe in Rumors but if there’s a bit of truth in dis then i guess we shouldnt only be scared of road accident but straybullets #FRSC
— Mofe. (@adesinapaulmofe) December 5, 2016
FRSC’s charge is to ensure safety of federal road users. Well, well, well… KAI might kuku be next up.
— Segun Maximus (@Segun_Maximus) December 5, 2016
FRSC to bear arms? Brilliant…only if citizens are allowed to bear arms too. If not, this takes the biscuit as the most insane of laws.
— Dono diDio il Milite (@JAEYAAR) December 5, 2016
So, the next thing is for frsc to shoot them, abi? Can’t policemen be attached to these guys, for example? https://t.co/ngToz8fiQF
—Tobi (@tobicomm) December 5, 2016
So I need to understand, if FRSC tells you to wait and you don’t, they will shoot at your Car ?
— Lonely Boy. (@lanrewaaju) December 5, 2016
FRSC to be arm?very soon LASTMA/VIO will demand gun for effective operation.SMH
— razaq lalas (@rlalas) December 5, 2016
When FRSC officials want to stop you, some just jump in front of the vehicle
— Tèmítáyọ̀ Your Zaddy (@EmiNiTybaba) December 5, 2016
Giving arms to FRSC can not be justifiable
— Freddie (@fredricky) December 5, 2016
Now that FRSC got guns ,can NYSC people get theirs too? Cus they both have two thing in common “serving Nigeria and SC “
— Edo-Wizard (@davidoghe) December 5, 2016
“Police-FRSC engage in gun duel over checkpoint control.” more like. https://t.co/K4eBtvZKz9
—Unbothered (@Oriadday) December 5, 2016
FRSC to be arm?very soon LASTMA/VIO will demand gun for effective operation.SMH
— razaq lalas (@rlalas) December 5, 2016
I just hope that the guns they gave to these FRSC guys are all toy guns, meant to scare unruly drivers else we are heading towards anarchy.
— Sapiosexual (@ChukwukaJerri) December 5, 2016
#CivilDefence is armed
Now #Frsc will carry guns
Soon #VIO will carry gun
Its either d #FG is stupid or their is an arms dealer in #PMB govt— Tayo (@Huxxein) December 5, 2016
So if FRSC stop car and he refuse then na to shoot am be the next thing?
— razaq lalas (@rlalas) December 5, 2016
FRSC news this morning caught me unaware. But why is the government so dumb laidis?
— El Zar De La Cocaíné (@Holar_Folarin) December5, 2016
Last week it was data hike, this week it’s arming FRSC. Nigeria won’t give someone a break, they won’t even allow you rest in peace.
— Solomon Femi 18thDec (@femmillion) December 5, 2016
Coz of some animals driving on our roads. That’s the only thing they can understand ‘arms’ “@EmiNiTybaba: Why would you arm FRSC….”
— Bros K (@KBanky1) December 5, 2016
The gradual militarisation of the Nigerian society may end up working in contrast to its objectives. The FRSC, as a corp, shldn’t bear arms.
— FF Back or I unFF (@Henrikachi) December 5, 2016
Had to run away from FRSC this morning, don’t wanna get shut… gun scare morning!??
— onabanjo oyegbile (@chikeseun) December 5, 2016
First dy stop environmental sanitation now they av given guns to FRSC, i tink kai nids guns also and we civilians nids snipers and auto’s
— Hassan SAS (@hassansasman) December 5, 2016
I can’t still fanthom the rationale for arming the FRSC.So if I don’t have valid driving license will be tantamount to license to kill me?
— razaq lalas (@rlalas) December 5, 2016
They gave FRSC people guns? Lmao this country is a joke
— The Outsider ?? (@CAN_Divine) December 5, 2016
Why not make FRSC officials work together with the police? Joint patrols and check points so they won’t need their own arms.
— ThatPortharcourtBoy (@ThatPHCBoy) December 5, 2016
Considering the number of drivers are wrongfully killed by police every year, using FRSC’s logic, we should all get guns.
— Mr X. (@vernalsage) December5, 2016
So essentially we are going to have trigger happy FRSC officials on the roads I’m addition to the countless others we already have?
— ThatPortharcourtBoy (@ThatPHCBoy) December 5, 2016
I think it’s abt time we d civilians carry guns also cuz if FRSC nids one den I’m damn sure we do also
— Hassan SAS (@hassansasman) December 5, 2016
Watch out for this tweet..
THE FRSC has been given the license to carry arms,
60% of them will be deployed to the Niger Bridge #Priorities—CH❗D❗EBERE (@Cutehomiemufc) December 5, 2016
In a country where we don’t have natural disasters like like the US & Asia; our govt is creating a self-inflicted one by giving FRSC Guns.
— #DeleAluko (@ElderAluko) December5, 2016
So FRSC peeps now carry guns.
Mad people with saw dust as brain matter in positions of power in this country.
— Vidar (@onuohadave) December 5, 2016
Make I go remove tints from my car. Now that those FRSC criminals now carry guns.
— . TED (@ted_lade) December 5, 2016
Now that Federal Road Safety Commission are supposed to carry guns….
Make them kuku begin share guns to Corpers too. #FRSC— Adegbite Bolaji (@Asapbolaji1) December5, 2016
No weapons to fight Boko Haram but there are weapons for
FRSC
Peace Corps
Even Religious police.Well done
— Syria’s mummy (@YarKafanchan) December 5, 2016
Operation Python ||Operation Crocodile ||Operation Pay Herdsmen NOT to kill innocent civilians
Operation FRSC
An admin with a war hangover— Juliet ‘Kego (@julietkego) December 5, 2016
If FRSC had made their licensing system rigorous, they would not be needing guns to control errant and ‘unstable’ drivers.
— kayode (@kayyorr) December 5, 2016
Buh naija is the other way round, I think handing FRSC guns is not right…. Ain’t the answer Mehn
— KingBellaKush (@IamBellaKush) December 5, 2016
“Things FRSC actually need to do their job: Alcohol breathalysers Speed tracking devices City cams Mobile first aid clinics, etc NOT GUNS!”
— Ntiense Wills (@NtienseWilliams) December 5, 2016
Please I want to understand, what will FRSC do with guns?
— The Outsider ?? (@CAN_Divine) December 5, 2016