The Federal Road Safety Corps has condemned what it described as unruly, defiant and rebellious attack that resulted into an unprecedented degree of damage to both FRSC personnel detailed on patrol operations and the patrol vehicle by a tricycle operator in Benin, Edo State on Saturday.
In a statement signed and released on Sunday by Assistant Corps Marshal, Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, FRSC said the tricycle rider resisted arrest by going naked and even attacked one of its officers who in turn applied commensurate force during the attack.
The corps vowed to ensure that the erring tricycle rider is prosecuted so as to serve as a deterrent to others who might want to attack its personnel in future.
It explained: “The tricycle rider, who FRSC personnel arrested in Benin, along Benin/Sapele road for driving against traffic, went berserk at the point of arrest, stripped himself naked, and started throwing obstacles on both personnel and the patrol vehicle, while at some point, even dragged the patrol operatives in uniform.
“During the attack, the man tore the FRSC staff’s uniform and not only damaged the windscreen of the corps’ patrol car, but disfigured the bonnet and other body parts with mud and stone.”
Reacting, therefore, the FRSC expressed a displeasure at what it described as the incessant abuse of its personnel and damage to its property across its formations nationwide by unruly people, warning that the it would do everything within its legal strength to ensure that this act does not go without due punishment under the law.
It said: “After going through the viral video, the Corps wonders why a section of the motoring public has continued to abuse unarmed personnel whose only fault is to ensure the safety of lives and property on the road?”
FRSC, therefore, warned that it would no longer condone any damage to either its personnel or patrol vehicles, vowed to use this case to serve as a deterrent to others who are fond of molesting law enforcement agents.
“It is also disheartening,” it stressed, “that a section of the motoring public could criticize the Corps personnel, who in self defence, applied some commensurate force on the criminal in question in order to restrain him from further attack on the unarmed personnel and damage to the patrol vehicle,” adding, “The motoring public is hereby warned to note that , though the FRSC is civil in nature and discourages physical attack on offenders, this does not mean members of the Corps should watch and allow physical damage on its property and personnel in the course of their legitimate duty..”
The Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, however, commended citizens, who assisted in arresting the criminal and condemned his actions.
He
said: “This shows that some Nigerians will always stand by the truth and
nothing but the truth.”
The Corps Marshal, has also ordered the prosecution of the alleged perpetrator
of humiliation and recklessness on law enforcement agents, noting that
offenders who take undue advantage of unarmed personnel will not be spared any
longer.
He also reminded members of the public that law enforcement agents serve the common interest of the general public and deserve to be respected and not humiliated in the course of their duty.
