Ibadan accident: Be tactful, civil in arresting drivers, Oyo Assembly tells FRSC

Following last Saturday’s auto crash involving some officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and a commercial cab in Ibadan, the Oyo House of Assembly has asked the FRSC to be more tactful, civil in its operations and desist from chasing perceived erring drivers in a bid to arrest them.

The Assembly at its Tuesday’s plenary presided over by its Speaker, Honourable Olagunju Ojo, said it was expedient for FRSC officials to strictly abide by its code of operations which abhorred chasing drivers to death, bearing in mind the need to respect human lives.

This is as the Assembly urged the FRSC to investigate the incident and prosecute offenders, including their officials involved in the hot chase.

Deliberating on a motion by Deputy Speaker, Honourable Abdulwasi Musah and majority Leader, Honourable Kehinde Subair, members noted that FRSC rather than chase erring drivers, could simply take note of such plate numbers and subsequently arrest drivers of such cars.

The motion had described as unwarranted overzealousness the hot pursuit of the commercial car that refused to stop at a checkpoint manned by FRSC officials around Ojoo which left least one person dead and three others injured.

Furthermore, the motion urged the FRSC to be more tactful in its operations of minimizing accidents, ensuring that safety measures are observed by road users, including getting their particulars.

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In their contributions, Honourables Fatai Adesina and Oyaleke Oyatokun bemoaned that FRSC officials rather than stick to their statutory duties, were known for undue harassment and extortion of drivers.

Speaking, Honourable Gbenga Oyekola said the FRSC officials should be keener on ensuring that drivers have the right vehicle particulars.

Summing up deliberations, Speaker of the Assembly, Honourable Ojo urged the FRSC to remain diligent in its duties and not dent their image.

This is as he urged the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and other drivers’ unions to prioritise training of their members on the need for them to be up to date with their vehicle particulars and adhere to rules of road usage.