Category: Arts & Life

As road traffic risks rise with the onset of the ‘ember’ months, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Lagos has inducted 304 Special Marshals — civilian volunteers drawn from all walks of life. In a ceremony held at the Corps Headquarters in Ojodu, these newly trained marshals pledged to support road safety enforcement, enlightenment and emergency response efforts across the state, marking a renewed push toward safer highways, reports Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF.

Last Saturday, the typically busy Ojodu axis of Lagos played host to an unusual assembly — not of hurried commuters or restless motorists, but of citizens answering a different kind of call. At the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Lagos Command headquarters, 304 men and women stood in disciplined formation beneath grey skies, not as bystanders, but as participants in a solemn civic responsibility. These were Nigeria’s newest Special Marshals — everyday citizens from diverse professions and generations, united by one mission: to help make Lagos roads safer for all.

They are not career officers. They carry no salaries, hold no official ranks in the civil service, and claim no privileges beyond a reflective vest and a commitment to service. Yet, in a city battling daily traffic chaos, reckless driving, and frequent road accidents, their emergence couldn’t be timelier. As the ember months — the most dangerous travel period in Nigeria — begin, these volunteers have pledged to become the Corps’ eyes, voices, and helping hands on the streets.

Drawn from diverse walks of life — lawyers, journalists, teachers, entrepreneurs, retirees, public servants — these individuals are not your typical traffic enforcers. They are volunteers. Civilians who have chosen, without expectation of pay, to commit their time, resources, and reputations to one shared mission: to make Lagos roads safer for all. They are, in the words of Lagos Sector Commander CC Ganiyu Kehinde Hamzat, “a new breed of traffic warriors.”

The induction comes at a strategic time. With the ember months—traditionally high-risk for road accidents—just beginning, the FRSC is intensifying its efforts across the country. Lagos, the nation’s most populous and congested state, sits at the heart of this effort. Each year, thousands of lives are lost to road crashes in Nigeria, and Lagos, with its chaotic traffic culture and overburdened road infrastructure, contributes a significant share to that grim statistic.

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Addressing the inductees at the parade ground, CC Hamzat made the Corps’ mission clear: “You are not here as ornaments in uniform. You are here because road safety is a collective responsibility. The Regular Marshals cannot do it alone. You are to assist in enforcement, in public education, and in rescue operations when necessary. Above all, you are to be role models—men and women of integrity who influence their communities to embrace road safety.” The tone of the address was sober but empowering. Special Marshals, the Commander emphasized, are more than symbolic volunteers — they are functional, deployable assets in the war against road traffic crashes.

A ceremony beyond celebration

The inauguration was far from ceremonial pomp. Before the formal swearing-in, the inductees underwent rigorous physical drills, their soaked uniforms clinging to them as the early morning rain gave way to heat and humidity. According to FRSC officials, the drilling was not just procedural—it was a test of readiness, endurance and discipline. “Road safety work is not for the faint-hearted,” said Chief Route Commander Ekong Obiomfon, the Sector Provost who administered the oath. “Whether you’re controlling traffic under the sun or responding to a highway emergency at midnight, you must be physically and mentally prepared.”

Once sworn in, the inductees received their reflective vests, identity kits, and orientation briefing. But perhaps the most important handover was not a piece of equipment — it was the weight of expectation that now sat on their shoulders. Among the new Special Marshals is Mrs. Ude, a retired school principal in Surulere. She told this reporter that her decision to join the corps was inspired by personal tragedy. “I lost a nephew in a car crash two years ago — a simple accident that could have been prevented if the driver wasn’t drunk and speeding,” she said. “Since then, I knew I had to do something. I may not be able to stop every accident, but if my presence on the road can save even one life, then I’ve done my part.”

Mr. Ajayi, an IT consultant from Ikeja, sees it differently. “To be honest, traffic in Lagos frustrates everyone. But instead of always complaining, I asked myself — what can I do to help? Being a Special Marshal allows me to be part of the solution.” Their stories reflect the diverse motivations that drive people to serve without monetary reward — a sense of duty, loss, frustration, or simply the desire to give back. This human dimension is what sets the Special Marshal cadre apart in the wider architecture of road safety management.

From volunteers to advocates

In his address to the inductees, Dr. Olabisi Dennis, the Lagos State Special Marshals Coordinator, stressed that the road ahead would be challenging but rewarding. He reminded them that they were not entering into a ceremonial role, but a serious commitment that demands time, discipline and consistency. “Service as a Special Marshal is a privilege, not an entitlement,” he warned. “Your attendance at patrols, meetings and unit activities is mandatory. Anyone who neglects these responsibilities will not be uploaded onto the State Special Marshals Portal. Without that, there will be no ID card, and persistent failure may lead to de-marshalling.”

He also emphasised the probation period now ahead of the newly inducted officers. “You’re being posted to various unit commands across Lagos. There, you will be tested—not only in performance but in character. The public will see you and judge the Corps through your actions.” What stood out throughout the induction event was the repeated insistence on discipline, sacrifice, and responsibility. From the physical drills to the stern speeches, the tone was unmistakably clear: this is not a symbolic gesture. The FRSC is demanding results.

Sector Commander Hamzat put it bluntly: “Let me be clear — any Marshal who steps out of line, who abuses this uniform, or acts contrary to our code, will be disciplined. No excuses.” Such strong language underscores the seriousness with which the FRSC views its volunteers. In a city where enforcement fatigue and public cynicism run high, ensuring that Special Marshals uphold the highest standards is critical to the credibility and effectiveness of the programme.

According to Hamzat, the inclusion of prominent professionals, community leaders and civil society actors in this batch of inductees reflects a deliberate strategy by the FRSC to expand its reach through influence. Special Marshals, as civilians, can go where Regular Marshals often cannot—into churches, offices, schools and markets—with less resistance and more cultural trust, he said. They are also expected to champion public enlightenment campaigns, especially as the ember months—September through December—bring heightened travel activity and increased accident rates. The FRSC’s goal is simple: to turn these volunteers into safety ambassadors, not just road monitors. Through social media, local engagement and grassroots outreach, Hamzat believes the Special Marshals can shape attitudes and behaviour in a way enforcement alone cannot.

As the induction ceremony drew to a close, the Sector Head of Operations, the Intelligence Officer, and the Staff Officer for Special Duties stood by, watching the new recruits file out. There was no applause or fireworks—just a quiet, orderly dispersal of citizens who had made a commitment to serve. In Lagos, where chaos often feels like the default setting, these 304 individuals have chosen the harder path. Not to stand by and complain, but to wear the uniform, step into the storm, and do something. They are not traffic officers in the conventional sense. They are teachers, journalists, lawyers, businesspeople, retirees, artisans and other professionals who have taken a personal stand for public safety. In a society where civic responsibility often plays second fiddle to self-interest, their decision is both remarkable and necessary.

As the newly inaugurated Special Marshals settle into their postings, a sense of optimism is already taking root. At Unit 60 (Daystar), Unit Coordinator SM Adeola Peters is seeing encouraging signs as fresh recruits eagerly pledge their commitment to service. With a shared resolve to provide practical solutions and support ongoing efforts, the new marshals are already strengthening the unit’s mission of safer roads and responsible road use. As we enter the critical ember months, where festive excitement often gives way to road tragedies, Lagosians can only hope that these new warriors—armed not with weapons but with commitment—will help turn the tide. Because on Nigerian roads today, saving lives doesn’t always require a badge. Sometimes, it just takes the will to serve.