The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FRSC

  • FRSC mourns Phyna’s sister Ruth, pledges enhanced road safety measures

    FRSC mourns Phyna’s sister Ruth, pledges enhanced road safety measures

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Ruth Otabor, sister of reality TV star Phyna, who died from injuries sustained in a crash involving a Dangote truck and a commercial motorcycle near Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, on August 13, 2025.

    FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, extended condolences to the Otabor family, the Students’ Union, and the Auchi Polytechnic community.

    He noted that the Corps has intensified measures to prevent similar tragedies, including engagements with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and collaborations with major fleet operators such as Dangote and BUA to strengthen driver training and recertification.

    Reassuring the public, the FRSC pledged continued commitment to road safety through enforcement, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, while expressing heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

    The statement read, “The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has received with deep sadness the news of the passing of Miss Ruth Otabor, the lady involved in the unfortunate crash that occurred on Monday, 11th August 2025, at about 10:30hrs, near the Sports Complex of Auchi Polytechnic, along Auchi Road, Edo State, involving a Dangote truck and a commercial motorcycle.

    “While the Corps has always ensured that the roads are safe for all to use, it is most regrettable that this crash had to occur and despite all medical efforts, the female victim has now succumbed to her injuries. The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, on behalf of the entire Management and Staff of the Corps, condoles with the family of the deceased , the Students Union and Auchi Polytechnic Community. He prays for the repose of the soul of the Deceased.

    Read Also: FRSC secures international scholarships for nine officers in Indian University 

    “You would recall that following the crash, the Corps immediately took proactive steps to engage critical stakeholders towards preventing a reoccurrence. These measures included convening a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to address their concerns and to provide a clear account of the Corps’ ongoing interventions in road safety management. Furthermore, the Corps has since intensified its collaboration with major fleet operators, including Dangote, BUA, and other heavy truck companies, through structured training and recertification programmes for their drivers.

    “To this end, the Corps Marshal wishes to assure the public that the Corps remains committed to creating safer road environments across Nigeria. While noting that this tragic incident serves as a sober reminder of the need for collective responsibility, the Corps will continue to strengthen enforcement, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement to ensure that such crashes are averted in the future.

    “Once again, the FRSC extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pledges continued dedication to its mandate of safeguarding lives on Nigerian roads”.

  • FRSC secures international scholarships for nine officers in Indian University 

    FRSC secures international scholarships for nine officers in Indian University 

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has secured full international scholarships for nine of its officers to pursue Master’s degree programmes at Rashtriya Raksha University in Gujarat State, India.

    The university, a premier national security and police institution under India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, will host the Nigerian officers for two years in specialised fields such as Police Administration, Cyber Security, and Disaster Management.

    According to the FRSC, the scholarships will cover tuition, accommodation, and feeding.

    Assistant Corps Marshal and Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, who announced the development on Thursday in Abuja, described it as “an unprecedented milestone in the history of Nigeria’s paramilitary landscape,” attributing the achievement to the leadership of Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed.

    Read Also: FRSC launches health awareness campaign

    “This is more than a scholarship. It is a generational legacy of knowledge transfer, innovation, and global relevance for the FRSC,” Ogungbemide said.

    The Corps noted that this is the first time such an opportunity has been secured for its officers, adding that in March, some personnel had also benefited from the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, a capacity-building initiative of the Indian Government.

    “This feat has positioned our personnel to compete and contribute on a global stage. It is a testament to the Corps Marshal’s passion for staff welfare, digitisation, and capacity development,” the statement noted.

    Stakeholders in the road safety sector have hailed the initiative, saying it would deepen international collaboration and raise Nigeria’s human capital base in road safety management, security intelligence, and digital transformation.

    The officers are expected to resume in India later this year.

  • FRSC on safety enlightenment

    FRSC on safety enlightenment

    Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), through its Daystar Special Marshalls Unit 60, took its safety enlightenment campaign to Ojota Interstate Garage, Lagos, engaging commercial drivers and transport stakeholders in a bid to reduce road crashes.

    The initiative, by regular officers and special marshalls, focused on sensitising drivers on safe driving, adherence to traffic regulations and importance of adopting responsible habits on the wheel.

    Speaking at the event, State Public Enlightenment Officer, Special Marshall Fumbi Taiwo, described the engagement as a practical method of reaching a vital audience often missed by traditional campaigns.

    He said: “This session enables us to connect with drivers, providing them with information and guidance on safe driving. The importance of engaging transport stakeholders outside the context of enforcement is that enlightenment should not only occur at point of booking offences but also at drivers’ operational base.”

    Read Also: Edun: Fed Govt attracting foreign investments

    Unit 60 Coordinator, Special Marshal Adeola Peters, said the programme was designed to deepen grassroots advocacy by addressing drivers’ concerns and fostering cooperation for safer roads.

    According to her, participants recommended that such enlightenment exercises be held periodically across motor parks in the state to further strengthen the relationship between transport operators and the FRSC.

    The interactive session featured a robust question-and-answer segment where drivers raised issues concerning the driver’s licence application and renewal process, penalties imposed when vehicles break down on highways, as well as requests for clearer information on towing procedures.

    They also sought clarification on the differences between state and federal traffic offences, alongside applicable fines and penalties.

  • FRSC rewards Osun officer for rejecting bribes 104 times in July

    FRSC rewards Osun officer for rejecting bribes 104 times in July

    The Federal Road Safety Commission(FRSC) has rewarded an Assistant Route Commander, Babatunde Owoeye, of the Osun State Sector, for rejecting bribes from traffic offenders 104 times in July 2025.

    Owoeye rejected bribes from traffic violators 18 and 38 times in May and June 2025, respectively.

    Speaking at the Osun State Command, on Wednesday, the Sector Commander, Leye Adegboyega, said the commission had an age-long stance against corruption and extortion of motorists by its personnel which their Corps Marshal, Sheu Mohammed has been propagating.

    He said: “the FRSC management award commendation and a cash gift of N250,000.00 to Assistant Route Commander Babatunde J Owoeye, a staff of the Osun State Sector Command of the Corps.

    “The young Officer distinguished himself by staying above inducement from traffic offenders who offered bribes for him to overlook their offences. Consequently, he singlehandedly recorded 104 “Attempt To Corrupt Marshal On Duty” (ACS) contraventions in July 2025, the first of its kind in the history of the Command.

    Read Also: Analyst hail police for averting two terror attacks in Benue

    “The Officer’s record in July is a climax from his previous performances in May and June 2025, when he recorded 18 and 38 ACS contraventions, respectively, which prompted the Osun State Sector Command to notify the FRSC National Headquarters, Abuja, of this extraordinary feat, which in turn attracted the Corps Marshal’s extraordinary acknowledgement and reward.”

    He noted that the recognition of Owolabi is sacrosanct to the image of FRSC, hence he was presented Management Commendation Letter and a cash gift to the officer.

    Adegboyega on behalf of the Zonal Commanding Officer RS11 comprising Osun, Ondo and Oyo States, Assistant Corps Marshal Ibrahim Abubakar, encouraged the corps to remain committed to positive image building and continue being a shining example for others to emulate.

    He charged motorists to be law-abiding and desist from offering bribes to the FRSC personnel to overlook traffic violations.

    The Sector Commander added that the commission will soon commence the prosecution of all traffic offenders caught offering bribes to FRSC personnel and add N10,000 penalty to their initial violation.

  • FRSC: Law enforcers turn lawbreakers?

    FRSC: Law enforcers turn lawbreakers?

    • By Oladebo A. O

    Sir: It is a bitter irony that the very agency charged with keeping our roads safe—the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)—often fails to meet the same standards it imposes on Nigerians.

    Their officers are quick to stop private car owners for lacking fire extinguishers or warning triangles, yet many of the FRSC’s official vehicles have no such gadgets. Some run on fairly used tyres (tokunbo), others on tyres long past expiry dates. When these vehicles break down in the middle of the road, they fail to display warning signs, turning themselves into hazards.

    Read Also: ManCo to take over Presidential Fertilizer Initiative from NSIA in November

    The hypocrisy runs deeper. Commercial buses, many without even the most basic safety equipment, are waived on after “settling” on the roadside. The message is clear: safety takes a back seat when bribes are involved.

    Road safety should not be a weapon of intimidation against law-abiding motorists while dangerous vehicles roam free. If the FRSC wants to be taken seriously, it must first clean its own house and lead by example. Until then, their roadblocks will be nothing more than toll gates for corruption.

    •Oladebo A. O,

    <oladeboyemi@gmail.com>

  • FRSC and its old ways

    FRSC and its old ways

    Sir: The experience of dealing with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) as a motorist can often feel unnecessarily punitive. In many instances, when officers of the FRSC apprehend a driver for something as minor as a faulty brake light, they insist on dragging the vehicle to the nearest FRSC office. This practice is not only inconvenient but also almost unheard of in most developed nations. Drivers are subjected to treatment that borders on criminalization for trivial infractions, such as faded number plates — an issue that is not caused by the driver but often by poor-quality production and lack of standardization.

    If the FRSC ensured the provision of proper, standardized number plates, such infractions would hardly arise. More importantly, there would be far less tension if officers simply issued tickets for such minor offenses or allowed on-the-spot payment after clearly explaining the violation to the motorist. Unfortunately, the reality is different. Many officers go as far as entering a motorist’s vehicle uninvited, compelling them to follow them to an FRSC office. Once there, drivers are sometimes confronted with additional, often unrelated charges, subjected to long delays, and even threatened.

    In a democracy governed by the rule of law, such heavy-handed tactics should have no place, and citizens should not be subjected to these degrading experiences.

    Read Also: Fed Govt targets 20m youths in national drive skills

    A comparison with Lagos State’s approach to traffic management shows that a better system is possible. In recent years, the operations of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have been restructured. Officers are now largely restricted to traffic control duties, while many traffic violations are handled digitally. The state government has installed cameras at strategic points, which automatically detect traffic offenses as vehicles pass by. Offenders are then notified via text or email and can pay their fines at their convenience.

    This system not only reduces face-to-face confrontations but also eliminates the possibility of roadside extortion. Motorists can continue to their destinations whether work, appointments, or emergencies without being unduly delayed. The FRSC’s current methods stand in stark contrast to this approach. Worse still, there are instances where FRSC officers allegedly invent violations that never occurred, simply to penalize or intimidate drivers. Such practices undermine public trust and must be addressed if the agency is to be seen as a credible enforcer of traffic laws.

    Same with FRSC’s handling of driver’s licences. Many Nigerians wait six months to a year after applying for a driver’s licence, despite paying increased fees. This is especially frustrating given that the Nigerian driver’s licence is a simple plastic card with no advanced biometric or electronic capabilities. This inefficiency recalls the frustrations Nigerians once endured with the passport office. To add insult to injury, some FRSC officers reportedly harass motorists for using the official print-out issued by the agency while waiting for the delayed physical card. This is deeply unfair, as the delay is entirely the agency’s fault.

    The FRSC must urgently overhaul its driver’s licence system — from application to issuance — ensuring it is transparent, efficient, and citizen-focused. But this alone will not be enough. The agency must also reform its enforcement culture, ending the practice of roadside harassment for minor or fabricated infractions, and adopt modern, technology-driven methods of traffic management similar to those successfully implemented in Lagos.

    Processes must be streamlined to remove unnecessary bureaucracy and opportunities for extortion, while service delivery must prioritize the dignity and time of Nigerians. This means embracing full digitalization, strict oversight of officers, and a zero-tolerance policy for corruption.

    At the leadership level, FRSC management must align with the federal government’s renewed hope agenda, ensuring that every reform effort produces tangible benefits for citizens. Where leaders fail to deliver, they must be replaced with competent individuals who can drive change and restore public trust.

    Nigerians deserve a Federal Road Safety Corps that treats motorists with fairness, delivers essential services without delay, and contributes positively to the nation’s progress. Anything less is a disservice to the country and its people.

    •Oguntoye Opeyemi,

    Lagos

  • Three truck drivers arraigned in Osogbo for alleged incitement against FRSC patrol team

    Three truck drivers arraigned in Osogbo for alleged incitement against FRSC patrol team

    Three members of the Allied Truck Transport Association of Nigeria (ATTAN) have been arraigned before the Osogbo Magistrate Court, Osun State, for allegedly inciting a mob attack on a patrol team of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

    The FRSC Sector Commander in Osun, Leye Adegboyega, in a statement, identified the defendants as Olatunde Abioye, Abdul-lateef Raheem, and Abdullazeez Mudasiru. They are facing three counts of conspiracy, obstruction of a public highway, and breach of public peace.

    According to Adegboyega, the incident occurred on Saturday near the main gate of the Government Secretariat, Abere, when a mini truck (registration number APM499XA) was stopped for a seatbelt violation.

    The patrol team issued a Notice of Offence ticket and confiscated the driver’s licence pending payment of the fine into the government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).

    Read Also: FRSC cautions motorists against using collapsed Katsina-Batsari bridge

    However, the driver allegedly refused to accept the ticket and called on fellow ATTAN members. Within minutes, about 50 men reportedly arrived in union vehicles, blocked the road, and disrupted public peace, preventing the FRSC team from carrying out their lawful duties. The mob allegedly attempted to attack and disarm policemen at the scene.

    Adegboyega said efforts by some union leaders to calm the situation were ignored, and the three accused persons were subsequently arrested.

    They were arraigned before Senior Magistrate A.O. Ayilara on August 9, 2025, and granted bail for ₦1 million each, with sureties of reasonable means within the court’s jurisdiction. The case was adjourned to September 25, 2025, for trial.

    The Sector Commander commended the police for their intervention and reaffirmed FRSC’s commitment to carrying out its statutory duties without compromise.

  • FRSC cautions motorists against using collapsed Katsina-Batsari bridge

    FRSC cautions motorists against using collapsed Katsina-Batsari bridge

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has warned motorists to avoid the collapsed bridge on the Katsina-Batsari route, a few metres after Salbak Filling Station near Shagari Lowcost, following a heavy downpour on Saturday night.

    Sector Commander, Maxwell Lede, who led an on-the-spot assessment of the scene on Sunday, said the affected section had been closed to traffic and cordoned off from both ends to safeguard road users.

    Read Also: Niger Delta will support only Tinubu in 2027, says PAP boss

    The corps advised motorists travelling from Katsina to Batsari to use the Ring Road via Al-Qalam University, while those heading from Batsari to Katsina should take the Army Barracks-Jibia Road.

    Motorists were cautioned to stay away from the collapsed section, particularly in the evenings or during rainfall when visibility is poor.

  • Riding without helmet on highways ‘suicidal,’ Ondo FRSC warns

    Riding without helmet on highways ‘suicidal,’ Ondo FRSC warns

    …begins clampdown

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ondo State has described riding motorcycles on highways without protective helmets as “suicidal,” vowing stricter enforcement against offenders.

    State Sector Commander Samuel Ibitoye, speaking on Sunday in Akure, said the command will begin impounding motorcycles, arresting riders, and prosecuting those who flout the helmet law.

    “There is a sanction for any motorcyclist riding on highways without the use of a helmet. The motorcycle will be impounded and a fine paid, but that is not the major thing we are preaching. We are preaching safety first,” he stated.

    Ibitoye lamented the decline in helmet usage, linking it to preventable fatalities, and urged riders to avoid highways when possible.

    Read Also: Lagos to enforce vehicle inspection for E-hailing operators

    He stressed that when riding on highways, motorcyclists must wear crash helmets and avoid dangerous competition with other vehicles, especially heavy-duty trucks.

    He also cautioned traditionalists and religious leaders who replace helmets with turbans or caps, reminding them that such practices do not guarantee safety.

    “Do not say because you are a titleholder or a religious person that it is only your turban or cap you must wear. If you want to entertain your titles, don’t ride. Crashes do not know religion or tradition; when it happens, it takes you as a human,” Ibitoye stressed.

    The FRSC, however, vowed to sustain the clampdown until compliance improves across the state.

  • Court affirms FRSC’s power to confiscate licences over number plate violations

    Court affirms FRSC’s power to confiscate licences over number plate violations

    A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has upheld the statutory powers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to enforce traffic regulations relating to vehicle number plates, including the imposition of fines and confiscation of driver’s licences.

    Delivering judgement in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/2367/2024 on Monday, June 23, 2025, Justice Musa Kakaki dismissed the claim brought by one Mr. Ojo Victor Olomi, who had challenged the legality of the actions taken against him by FRSC officials after he was found to have hand-painted his vehicle’s number plate in violation of established road traffic laws.

    The applicant had alleged that the confiscation of his driver’s licence amounted to an infringement on his fundamental human rights. 

    However, the Court ruled that his actions were in clear breach of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2016, which require all vehicle number plates to remain reflective for visibility, security and enforcement purposes.

    Justice Kakaki held that the modification of a number plate through hand painting renders it non-compliant with national regulations and is therefore a punishable offence under the law. He further ruled that the action of the FRSC in confiscating the applicant’s driver’s licence was lawful and did not violate any constitutional rights.

    The Court also distinguished the matter from an earlier ruling in the case of Chinwike Chamberlain Ezebube v. FRSC and affirmed that tampering with or altering number plates constitutes a clear traffic offence.

    In a statement following the judgement, the Federal Road Safety Corps described the ruling as a pivotal legal validation of its powers to enforce traffic laws across the country. It said the judgement reaffirmed the mandate of the Corps to act decisively against violations that endanger lives and compromise road safety.

    Read Also: FG approve promotion for 100 FRSC commanders

    “This verdict is a significant victory in our quest to promote order, discipline, security and safety on Nigerian roads,” the Corps said.

    The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, urged motorists to comply fully with all traffic regulations and desist from tampering with number plates or engaging in any acts that undermine road safety.

    “We also use this opportunity to urge members of the public to disregard misleading interpretations of previous judgements and take due notice of the legal clarity now provided,” he said.

    The FRSC reiterated its commitment to carrying out its statutory responsibilities with professionalism and respect for the rights of all road users.