The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has said that arming personnel may become necessary to effectively enforce traffic regulations on Nigerian highways.
Speaking on ARISE News on Thursday, Mohammed highlighted the dangers road safety operatives face, particularly when confronting overloaded trailers and fuel tankers carrying both goods and dozens of passengers.
“How do you stop a trailer or a tanker on the road? It is very difficult. A truck, especially one with up to 100 passengers on top with animals, and you only have four personnel on patrol, how do you stop that?” he asked.
According to him, enforcement is impossible without what he described as the “power of cohesion,” stressing that properly trained and disciplined units could be armed to protect lives, facilities, and the officers themselves. He revealed that nearly 300 FRSC personnel have been killed on duty by reckless drivers.
On allegations of bribery and extortion by FRSC operatives, Mohammed admitted the problem exists but insisted that the Corps has been tougher than many other agencies in punishing erring officers.
“We have more records of termination and dismissal of our personnel because of bribes and corruption,” he said, noting that the agency operates under strict standard procedures to check misconduct.
Addressing public complaints about driver’s licence charges, the FRSC chief clarified that the official fees remain unchanged: ₦15,000 for three years and ₦21,000 for five years. He apologised to Nigerians for the challenges in processing licences and announced that an enhanced driver’s licence system will be rolled out in the first and second week of October.
The new system, he said, will be technology-driven, with faster capture, instant issuance, and improved service delivery. “In the first and second week of October, they will see an enhanced driver’s licence and a more efficient service delivery,” he assured.
The Corps Marshal also released new road safety statistics, disclosing that Nigeria recorded 5,281 road crashes between January and June 2025, involving nearly 40,000 people. Out of this number, 2,838 lives were lost, while about 17,800 people were rescued. The figures represent an increase of almost 4% in crashes and more than 2% in fatalities compared to the same period in 2024.
He identified speeding as the leading cause of road accidents, accounting for about 70% of crashes, and called for greater sensitisation, installation of speed-limiting devices, and expanded enforcement to private vehicles.
Responding to concerns about repeated fatal crashes involving heavy-duty trucks, including petroleum tankers, Mohammed said regulation remains difficult due to human factors and the sheer size of unorganised fleets. He disclosed that the FRSC continues to engage organised fleet operators through re-certification and driver training but admitted that enforcement is constrained without stronger powers.
On drink-driving, Mohammed noted that the penalties in Nigeria are high and that the FRSC has intensified awareness campaigns in motor parks and communities. He revealed ongoing partnerships with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for drug tests on drivers, including mandatory checks before the issuance of licences.
He further acknowledged public frustration with the poor condition of Nigerian roads but said road safety outcomes are also tied to literacy levels, income, and general quality of life. “Road safety culture anywhere in the world is a function of literacy, income, and quality of life. In low and medium-income countries, crashes are always high,” he explained.
While insisting that arming FRSC officers would improve enforcement, Mohammed stressed that reducing accidents requires a collective effort. “It is a holistic approach. Everyone must obey traffic rules and regulations,” he said.
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