Afe Babalola Advocates Arming FRSC for Enhanced Security and Operational Efficiency
Legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola, has called for the arming of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to improve the safety of its personnel and strengthen the agency’s capacity to safeguard national infrastructure.
Babalola made the statement on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the FRSC Sector Commander in Ekiti State, Corps Commander Sanya Adeoye, to his Ado-Ekiti office.
The respected lawyer commended the Corps for its dedication to traffic safety and road management but emphasized that their mandate has grown beyond controlling vehicular movement. He pointed out that rising insecurity across the country poses new threats to FRSC formations and personnel, making it imperative for them to be adequately equipped for self-defense.
“I will not only continue to support the ideals of road safety but will also strongly advocate for a more secure working environment for FRSC staff,” Babalola stated. “I believe it is time the Corps is empowered to bear arms, especially for the protection of its personnel and installations. Only then can they operate with the professionalism and confidence their duties demand.”
FRSC's Role Beyond Traffic Control
Babalola further noted that the evolving security challenges in Nigeria require a holistic approach to road safety, including training FRSC officers in basic security operations. He emphasized that the Corps should no longer be viewed as a mere traffic control agency but as a critical national asset responsible for maintaining safety on highways and protecting lives.
FRSC Welcomes the Support
Reacting to the call, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, expressed deep appreciation for Babalola’s support, describing the call to arm the Corps as a long-overdue necessity. He noted that with such endorsements from credible voices like Babalola’s, the proposed bill seeking to authorize the FRSC to carry arms could gain the momentum needed for swift legislative action.
“The support of esteemed Nigerians like Aare Afe Babalola is both timely and encouraging,” Mohammed said. “Once the bill is passed and assented to by President Bola Tinubu, the FRSC will be better positioned to scale up its operations and guarantee safer roads across the nation.”
The development comes at a time when various security and civil defense outfits are reassessing their capabilities in response to the country’s growing security challenges, particularly along major highways where officers have been targets of violent attacks.
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