FRSC Stops Officers from Escorting Politicians During Campaigns

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has stopped its officers from escorting politicians during the campaigns for the 2027 general elections.

Abimbola Owolabi, the zonal commanding officer for RS6, announced this during her first visit to the Cross River Command in Calabar on Wednesday.

Ms Owolabi stated that patrol vehicles and sirens cannot be used for political events or personal activities, including weddings and funerals.

She instructed officers assigned to campaign events to focus solely on managing traffic. This is to avoid congestion and prevent road accidents.

The zonal head warned officers against leading political convoys or providing escorts for any politician. She emphasized that official vehicles should not be used for any unauthorized activities.

Ms Owolabi urged officers to increase public education on road safety. She noted that ongoing awareness campaigns could help reduce accidents and aim for zero fatalities.

She also cautioned against extortion, corruption, and other unprofessional behaviors. She urged personnel to protect the corps' image through accountability.

"Misconduct by patrol operators and other personnel undermines public confidence in the corps. Officers must be extremely accountable across operational units," she said.

She advised officers to prioritize their safety during enforcement actions. They should avoid unnecessary confrontations that could lead to assaults, injuries, or damage to their uniforms.

Ms Owolabi encouraged officers to show professionalism and good judgment when dealing with motorists, especially in tense situations that might turn violent.

She called for stronger partnerships with private operators to ensure broken-down vehicles are quickly removed from highways and that traffic obstructions are cleared.

The zonal commander also highlighted the importance of rapid emergency response, effective rescue operations, and increased patrols to cut down road accidents and deaths.

"I urge FRSC personnel to maintain high standards of service delivery, process official correspondence carefully, and ensure requests for operational support are well documented," she said.

She encouraged officers to take care of their health and use the National Health Insurance Scheme. She pointed out that good health is key for effective service delivery.

Ms Owolabi also appealed to the wives of FRSC personnel, through the Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association, to support their husbands in their duties and help save lives.