VIOs have liberty to arrest traffic offenders, FRSC clarifies

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), through Deputy Corps Marshal Mr Bisi Kazeem, has clarified that the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) have legal backing to arrest traffic offenders depending on the state where they operate.

Kazeem stated in Abuja that the motoring public should give maximum cooperation to VIOs for the enhancement of safety on the roads

Kazeem, while reacting to the comment credited to the unit commander of the FRSC in Abuja, saying VIOs did not have the right to arrest road traffic violators, including those operating overloaded vehicles or motorists caught using phones while driving, stated that the motoring public should give maximum cooperation to VIOs for the enhancement of safety on the roads

Meanwhile, the Corps Marshal, Mr Dauda Biu, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the unit commander to the national headquarters for necessary administrative and disciplinary actions.

“The general public is advised to disregard the unit commander’s statement as it had no approval of the FRSC Corps Marshal and does not in any way reflect the corporate or general position of the FRSC.

“In line with sustaining the Corps’ resolve that road safety is a collective responsibility, we acknowledge the role VIOs play in complementing the responsibilities of the FRSC through the enforcement of traffic laws,’’ Kazeem stated.

He urged the motoring public to always comply with all established traffic regulations and to cooperate with security agencies deployed to maintain law and order on the highways, irrespective of their corporate mandate.

NAN