On Monday the 14th of September 2020, tragedy of monumental dimension struck when suspected kidnappers attacked two bus-loads of Federal Road Safety Corps officials at Wudage junction, Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, killing two officials and abducting 10 others to an unknown destination.
The killing and abduction drew nationwide uproar and condemnation by members of the public immediately the news spread across the media space. Many are of the opinion that FRSC as a Commision does spectacular job and contributes significantly to nation-building in terms of maintaining road safety for motorists, helping to prevent road accidents, broadening stakeholders engagement and adding value to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but, alas, the lives of its officials especially those on highways are susceptible to attacks, accidents and violent confrontations by armed robbers, bandits, abductors, hit-and-run drivers as well as defaulters of road safety laws.
In the light of this sad reality, a former President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Turkish Zone, comrade Zachariah Madaki apparently worried by the unfortunate development of Monday 14th in a press release made available to journalists in Abuja condemned in the strongest possible terms the killing and abduction of the officers who were travelling from Sokoto and Kebbi states to a South-East location.
Comrade Madaki calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the kidnapped officials as well as the arrest and prosecution of those behind the attacks.
He called on the Federal Government to do all it can and protect FRSC officials in view of the vulnerability of their work. In the same vein, he maintained that the immediate approval of fire-arms to be used by them would offer sustainable and productive solution to the pressing challenges they’re confronted with. He justified his call by quoting section 19 of the FRSC act 2007 which provides that “For the purpose of carrying out or enforcing the provisions of this Act, such members of the Corps as may be determined by the Commission, exposed to high risk in the enforcement of the provisions of this Act, shall have the same powers, authorities and privileges including power to bear arms as are given by law to members of the Nigeria Police “
He said “It was really sad and traumatizing when we heard of the killing of 2 FRSC officials and abduction of 10 others by suspected kidnappers on Monday the 14th of September. This unfortunate development has almost become an endless occurrence. There are multiple cases of harrassment, killing, abduction, assault, threats and maiming of FRSC officials from time immemorial. In 1990, a senior officer Mr. Omolade was killed in Ogun state by armed robbers. In 1994, Mr. Oguniyi Agbi was killed by armed robbers in the same Ogun state among other cases of troubling dimensions. I’m calling on the Federal Government to grant them the power to bear arms for self-defence and protection. When that is done, they will be more emboldened to carry out their tasks, patrol courageously at night and save more lives. I also call for further training of their personnel to upgrade their combat skills and repel attacks against them by criminal elements. Such trainings can be carried out in both Nigeria and abroad just like when in 1992, some officials were trained in the New York Police Service Division which the present Corp Marshal Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi was part of it. Action must be taken immediately. We can’t afford to loose more lives and expose them to further risks. We in NANS believe that an injury to one Nigerian is an injury to all…” The statement reads in part.
Comrade Madaki concluded that the present senior management staff of FRSC were doing their best in repositioning the commission for sustainable growth and development, hence the need for FG to continue to support them.
Signed:
Comrade Zachariah Madaki
Former NANS President, Turkish Zone
