The Federal Road Safety Corps, Abuja Sector Command, has urged the motorists to give maximum cooperation to Vehicle Inspection Officers for the enhancement of safety on the roads.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Deputy Corps Marshal at the FRSC, Mr Bisi Kazeem, made this known in Abuja in reaction to a statement from a unit commander disputing VIOs cannot arrest traffic offenders
A unit commander of the FRSC in Abuja had earlier declared that VIOs did not have the right to arrest road traffic violators, including those operating overloaded vehicles or motorists caught using phones while driving.
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 Corps stated that VIOs have legal backing to arrest traffic offenders depending on the state within which they operate.
“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 called on the road users to always adhere to all established traffic regulations and to cooperate with security agencies deployed to maintain law and order on the highways, irrespective of their corporate mandate.
