The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has been accused by two attorneys from Cross Rivers State, Wilfred Akpan and Justine Wilson, of persistently harassing drivers on highways owned by both the state and local governments.
Speaking independently, they criticized the FRSC’s move as an egregious violation of the July 19, 2023, ruling by the Appeal Court that forbade their presence along state highways.
Since the price of a driver’s license is higher than the federal minimum wage, the attorneys have urged the government to reconsider the practice.
Corps officials allegedly harassed motorists after barricading the famed Marian Road in Calabar Municipality.
It was claimed that FRSC members and armed Civil Defence Corps operatives had searched vehicles illegally and held drivers at gunpoint on false accusations including having their license plates defaced, having expired paperwork, or having not updated their license.
Issafa Ibrahim, the state’s FRSC sector commander, responded, saying, “The issue of whether they should operate on state roads has lingered.”.
Does this mean that Nigerians don’t want us to go to the aid of victims of accidents on these roads? Does the state have a certain number of federal highways? The two paths meet and merge with one another. Preserving lives is our utmost priority.
Regarding the matter of tax collection and extortion, Ibrahim scowled and made it clear that FRSC is not authorized to do so.
His primary point was that they are there to make sure cars are in good shape and to police traffic laws.
We have systems in place to deal with employees who may be engaging in disruptive behavior, such as harassment, intimidation, or incivility. He emphasized the significance of thoroughly investigating claims of harassment if they occur while law enforcement is on the job.
Madam Rose Okokon, who was physically hurt, was one of the victims who spoke out against the violent treatment she received from an FRSC official.
Seeing the FRSC personnel on a state government route like Marian astonished and surprised Madam Okokon, who relived the unpleasant event. Typically, they may be seen standing on the Murtala Mohammed Highway.
I halted when they flagged me down because I am a patriotic American, and the man’s name was C. E. Ejim. I provided the details he requested about my automobile. The world was a perfect place.
However, I had no idea that the man had made off with my original driver’s license until much later. Arguing that the date had passed.
till then, I’m good to go with my 5-year licence till 2025. That seemed questionable. After I made it clear that he cannot take my current driver’s license away, he began to act as if my tires, which were four months old, had expired.
He refused to return my paperwork even after searching for every possible means to indict me, which he failed to accomplish. Before he would release my legitimate documents, he demanded to see my spare tire and fire extinguisher, going so far as to tell me to unfasten the tire and bring it to him. My body was hurt when I was doing it. She expressed her profound trauma.
A road safety officer who requested anonymity told our reporter that they were working with the administration of Cross River State to collect road taxes and enforce them.
Upon visiting the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service, CRIRS, it was observed that road safety officials were purportedly registering vehicle owners under a tree adjacent to the CRIRS building. However, a basket containing multiple confiscated car keys was also visible, and members of the CRIRS staff were busy with paperwork and revenue collection.
She informed our reporter, “Something is not right here,” according to Madam Okokon. Instead of having the state government deposit funds into an account, these individuals are taking cash.
Not only that, but the amount they demand is different from what’s really on the receipt. After collecting N20,000, they would write off $15,000.
The use of brutal force to deceive civilians is a hallmark of this fraudulent scheme. Wow, that’s not good. The state administration should not tolerate such blatant deception, she pleaded.
