The Federal Road Safety Corps, ordered a thorough investigation into a case of aggression against an FRSC officer along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos, on November 7, 2024.
This was just as it expressed concern over the growing incidents of assault on its personnel while they lawfully discharge their duties.
A statement on Monday, by the Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC Headquarters, Abuja, Olusegun Ogungbemide, noted that the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, also ordered the immediate prosecution of the perpetrator.
The statement quoted him to have noted that this incident highlights the need for public cooperation and adherence to lawful avenues for grievance redressal.
The statement reads, “Highly disturbed by the spate of assault on personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps who are legitimately carrying out their statutory responsibilities, the Corps Marshal has ordered an in-depth investigation into the latest assault and immediate prosecution of a motorist who repeatedly assaulted FRSC personnel.
“The report of the assault case which was recorded on November 7, 2024, along Oko-Ado, Lekki-Epe Expressway, within the Lekki Unit Command General Operations Area, in Lagos State, revealed that at about 1554hrs, the patrol team flagged a Toyota Corolla with vehicle Registration number EPE690HH for the seatbelt violation.
“At the request of the vehicle papers, it was discovered that the papers had expired since December 2022 which prompted the impoundment of the vehicle. While the driver of the vehicle who contravened the law did not resist arrest, a particular lady who happened to be a passenger in the same vehicle became provocative, verbally assaulted the arresting marshal and threatened to prosecute them for doing their job.
“As if her threat was not enough, the lady went further to create a scene so as to conjure undeserving sympathy from other road users. When all of her antics did not play out, she opted for physical assault as could be seen in the attached video. She assaulted the personnel all the way from the point of arrest and refused to put an end to it even when the vehicle was finally impounded in the Lekki Command.”
The statement added that to contain the situation, the Divisional Police Officer of Ajah Police Station was called upon to intervene.
“When all efforts to bring her to calmness did not yield the desired results, the Unit Commander engaged the Divisional Police Officer, Ajah Police Station, who swiftly deployed a team of men to arrest the lady and the driver for further investigation,” the statement added.
Speaking further, the Corps Marshal advised the public to take appropriate legal actions rather than resort to violence against FRSC personnel.
“Meanwhile, the Corps Marshal has admonished the motoring public to always channel their grievance through proper administrative processes or take appropriate legal actions rather than taking laws into their hands. He therefore warned the motoring public to put a halt to any form of assault on FRSC personnel henceforth.
“The Corps Marshal is also optimistic that Justice will not only be served but done speedily so as to serve as a deterrent to other violent road users”, the statement further stated.
While commending the professionalism and restraint shown by the Unit Commander and his team during the provocation, the Corps Marshal reiterated the FRSC’s commitment to upholding justice and ensuring that such acts of violence against its personnel are met with decisive legal action.
“The Corps Marshal also hailed the Unit Commander, Chief Route Commander AM Usman and the entire staff of the Command for exhibiting a high level of professionalism and civility amidst the provocative actions of the motorist, saying that their action represents the ideals of the Corps”, the statement concluded.
