Kanu’s lawyer to Reps: Arming FRSC will cause anarchy, insanity on roads

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead counsel for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday kicked against the move by the House of Representatives to create special armed squad for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

A bill seeking the establishment of the armed squad for the FRSC is being debated in the Green Chamber.

In a statement, Ejjiofor said the proposed bill was troubling and should be rejected.

He described the move to create an arm carrying unit of FRSC as an invitation to anarchy on Nigerian roads.

The lawyer insisted that the attempt to turn a civilian agency responsible for traffic management into an armed force poses a serious risk to public safety and threatens to escalate violence on the roads.

He said: “Arming the FRSC will only create anarchy and insanity on the roads. Instances of trigger-happy law enforcement officers have marred the nation’s peace, leading to the needless loss of innocent lives.

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“Majority of them have turned their various checkpoints across the states into mobile ATM machines. Oftentimes, non-compliance with their illegitimate demand to part with one’s hard-earned stipends at their various checkpoints usually leads to the untimely death of citizens.

“Allowing the FRSC to carry guns will only increase the likelihood of such tragic incidents.

READ ALSO: Kate Henshaw disapproves of bill by House of Reps to allow FRSC officials carry guns

“We also need to think about the psychological impact of arming road safety officials. The main duties of the FRSC, as clearly defined under the law establishing the agency, are to guide, educate, and enforce traffic regulations in a calm, orderly manner, not to incite fear or foster an environment of intimidation.

“When we are deliberately raising the possibility of violence on our highways, how can we say that we are protecting public safety?”.

“Hence, I urge all well-meaning citizens to reject this bill in its entirety. The focus should be to ensure our roads remain a place of safety, not a battlefield.

“It is imperative that lawmakers and other elected leaders focus on pressing issues bedevilling the country.”

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