FRSC: VIO, state agencies have power to arrest traffic violators

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and ancillary state agencies have the powers to arrest traffic violators.

Bisi Kazeem, deputy corps marshal, disclosed the development in a statement on Wednesday, while reacting to a comment by IL Ibrahim, FRSC central business district commander in Abuja.

According to the statement, Ibrahim had said VIO personnel, also known as Directorate of Road Traffic Service (DRTS), and state traffic agencies, do not have the right to arrest road traffic violators, including overloaded vehicles and motorists caught using phones while driving.

Kazeem said Ibrahim’s comment does not in any way reflect the corporate or general position of the FRSC and called on the public to disregard the remark.

He added that Dauda Biu, FRSC corps Marshal, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of Ibrahim to the FRSC national headquarters for necessary administrative and disciplinary actions.

“The Federal Road Safety Corps wishes to make a pertinent clarification regarding the pronouncement by the Unit Commander, Central Business District Unit Command, Assistant Corps Commander IL Ibrahim,  that Vehicle Inspection Officers, otherwise known as Directorate of Road Traffic Services, do not have the right to arrest road traffic violators, including overloaded vehicles and motorists caught using phones while driving,” the statement reads.

“The general public is advised to disregard the statement as it had no approval of the Corps Marshal, Dauda Ali Biu and does not in anyway reflect the corporate or general position of the Corps.

“It is important for the public to know that the laws establishing VIOs/State Traffic Management Agencies give them the statutory mandate to make arrests on different offences depending on the state within which they operate.

“As such, the agencies should be given the maximum cooperation for the enhancement of safety on our roads.

“On this note and in line with sustaining the Corps’ resolve that road safety is a collective responsibility, and in acknowledgement of the roles the State Traffic Management Agencies like the Vehicle Inspection Officers play in complementing the statutory responsibilities of the FRSC through enforcement of traffic laws.

“The Corps Marshal has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the Unit Commander to the national headquarters for necessary administrative and disciplinary actions.

“The public is admonished to always comply with all established traffic regulations and cooperate with security agencies deployed to maintain law and order on the highways, irrespective of their corporate mandate.”