Civil Rights Group raises concerns over extortion, lawlessness by FRSC in Kwara state
Kwara State, Nigeria – In a scathing open letter addressed to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Kwara Sector Command, the Civil Right and Development Resource Centre, also known as CIRDEV Resource Centre, has raised grave concerns over alleged extortion activities and lawlessness by certain FRSC officers on the roads within Kwara State.
The letter, signed by Barr Luqman M. Shaffii, the Executive Director of CIRDEV, and Barr. Olaitan T. N., Head of Legal Services, points out the rampant abuse of power and corruption reportedly carried out by a segment of the Commission’s personnel.
The civil society group stated that over recent times, a disturbing pattern has emerged, where FRSC officials purportedly intercept motorists on the roads and demand monetary contributions under the pretext of inspecting their vehicle documents.
The organisation furthered that threats of vehicle impoundment often accompany these demands, adding to the distress faced by motorists.
CIRDEV strongly asserted that such extortionate practices are not only illegal but also constitute a violation of the fundamental human rights of citizens.
The organization deplored the fact that, instead of safeguarding the welfare of individuals on the highways, some FRSC officers, particularly within the Ilorin metropolis, have allegedly adopted predatory behavior, targeting unsuspecting motorists.
These actions, the letter emphasized, not only transgress the law but also erode the credibility of the Federal Road Safety Commission.
The letter claimed that numerous Nigerians have fallen victim to this extortion racket, prompting a call for urgent measures to eradicate this menace.
Additionally, CIRDEV called for comprehensive efforts to retrain and reorient the officers of the FRSC Kwara Command, emphasizing the importance of clarifying their roles and responsibilities as Road Safety Corps.
This, it argued, is vital in restoring public trust not only in the individual corps but also in the entire Commission.
Furthermore, the open letter drew attention to a recent Court of Appeal judgment in the case of CA/AS/276/2019: FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY COMMISSION AND DARLINGTON UGO EHIKIM ESQ. In this judgment, the court declared that the Federal Road Safety Commission lacks the authority to operate or conduct activities on State and Local Government Roads, issuing restraining orders against such operations on roads other than Federal Highways.
CIRDEV implored the State Command of the Commission to comply with the court’s ruling, pending any contrary judgment from the nation’s highest court.
In conclusion, the open letter beseeches the Kwara State Command of the FRSC to take decisive actions to curb the alleged misconduct of certain individuals within the Corps.
It emphasized that the safety and well-being of citizens should remain paramount for both the Commission and the government as a whole.
The letter is also copied to the Kwara State House of Assembly, the Corps Marshal at FRSC Headquarters in Abuja, and the Zonal Commander RS 8 Headquarters in Ilorin.
