A bill seeking to amend the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act of 2007 to allow its officers to bear arms has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives in Nigeria.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Abiodun Adesida (APC, Ondo) and Olaide Muhammed (APC, Oyo), aims to create a Road Safety Special Armed Squad, allowing officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to carry weapons.
The bill also proposes extending benefits to FRSC personnel, especially from the rank of Deputy Corps Marshal upwards, including retirement benefits. Additionally, it would empower the commission with more authority over road traffic administration and safety management.
Adesida emphasized that the bill is necessary to improve safety on Nigerian roads. “The goal is to reduce road traffic crashes and enhance the capacity of FRSC officers to regulate traffic more effectively,” he said during the plenary session.
The bill also seeks to ensure that FRSC officers can supervise road users, clear obstructions, and enforce traffic regulations to prevent dangerous driving. Furthermore, it mandates public education on road safety practices.
The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, has referred the bill to the committee on FRSC for further legislative review. During the same session, Garba Muhammad (NNPP, Kano) moved a related motion urging FRSC to adopt advanced technology for traffic management, including Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) systems and data analytics platforms to improve road safety.
The proposed legislation has sparked a nationwide conversation on the role of armed officers in traffic management and the potential implications for road users.
