THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has released data indicating that 32 of its officers lost their lives while on official duty between 2018 and 2022.
The data was released by FRSC spokesperson, Bisi Kazeem, on Friday, April 21.
According to the records, three officers were killed in 2018, eleven lost their lives in 2019, nine in 2020, five in 2021, and four in 2022.
The road safety personnel were killed “as a result of knockdown by reckless drivers or attacks” according to the data.
In November 2022, a truck driver crushed two officers along the Ikot-Ekpene – Aba route. The crash occurred as a result of excessive speed by the driver of a DAF articulated truck while trying to dodge a pothole along the route.
On April 3, 2022, unknown gunmen killed two FRSC officials in Ezinifite, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
In November 2020, the House of Representatives expressed concerns over the safety of FRSC members, who had been threatened, harassed, and even killed in the line of duty.
The House Committee on FRSC had suggested that arming FRSC members would help curb the excesses of road users in the country.
The Committee Chairman, Mayowa Akonfolarin, said the Road Safety Establishment Act of 2007 should be amended to provide a legal framework for the arming of personnel on essential duties.
He said that the committee would liaise with relevant bodies, including the FRSC, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and relevant supervisory agencies, to set up a body that would brainstorm on the issue and make recommendations.
To address the safety concerns, experts have suggested several measures that the FRSC could implement to reduce the number of officers killed while on duty.
These measures include deploying technology such as license plate recognition, speed limiting devices, and a traffic operation centre to enable the agency to discharge its duties effectively.
FRSC operatives have also been advised to to avoid jumping into the road to stop fast-moving vehicles. The road safety commission was also advised to deploy secret body cameras to monitor activities, and engage in arresting vehicles instead of chasing them down.
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