By Chidi Ugwu
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Shehu Mohammed, has ordered an investigation into a viral video showing a passenger dangerously dragging a steering wheel to evade impoundment of a vehicle.
This is contained in a statement signed by Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Corps Commander, Corps Public Education Officer of
FRSC.
The statement noted that according to the preliminary investigation report, the incident occurred on August 23, 2024, along the Asaba-Ogwashi-Ukwu route within the Asaba Sector Command.
A Toyota Sienna bus was flagged down by a patrol team and the driver was found guilty of driving a commercial vehicle without a speed limiting device, which is an offense warranting impoundment.
During the attempted impoundment, a female passenger refused to exit the vehicle and instead struggled with the officer over the steering wheel in a manner that could have caused an accident.
The FRSC has assured the public that it values their trust and will not tolerate any behavior that compromises its integrity.
The Corps Marshal has directed the Asaba Sector Commander to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report within 48 hours. If the staff member is found guilty of misconduct, they will face disciplinary action in line with the FRSC’s zero-tolerance policy.
The public is urged to report any instances of misconduct or unprofessional behavior by FRSC staff through the FRSC Mobile Application or by calling 122 for immediate action.
“The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has taken keen notice of a recent video in the social media space, as well as other publications in the mainstream media; alleging that one of its staff was involved in a physical altercation with a passenger over the steering wheel in the cause of impounding the vehicle of an apprehended traffic offender.
“While expressing disappointment and obvious concern over the incident, the Corps Marshal has directed the Sector Commander within whose operational jurisdiction the incident occurred, to carryout extensive investigation and forward the report to the national headquarters within 48 hours.
“According to the Corps Marshal, the Federal Road Safety Corps will take the allegation seriously as thorough investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident have commenced in essence.
“From the preliminary investigation report forwarded to the Corps Marshal, the incident happened along Asaba Ogwashi-ukwu route within the Asaba Sector Command general operational area, on 23rd August, 2024.
“The vehicle, a Toyota Sienna bus was flagged down for necessary checks by the patrol team after which the driver was found guilty of driving a commercial vehicle without an installed speed limiting device. A traffic offence that necessitates impoundment of the vehicle.
“In an attempt to carryout the impoundment, the lady struggling the steering with the driver who was just a passenger in the vehicle refused to come down for the arresting Marshal to sit in front in conformity with standards for vehicles impoundment.
“To put the records straight, the public should note that irrespective of the fact that the woman acted in a dangerous kind of way that would have resulted in a crash, the Corps will still go ahead to ensure that rules of engagement remain sacrosanct and if found guilty, the staff involved will face disciplinary action in line with our zero-tolerance policy for misconduct.
“Pursuant to that, the Corps wishes to assure the public that because it values the trust and confidence of the public, it will not condone any behaviour that compromises our integrity. In that regard, the Corps will remain committed to providing excellent service, ensuring safety on the road, and upholding the highest standards of conduct among its personnel.
“To that effect, the Corps Marshal humbly appeals to the public to continually report any instances of misconduct or unprofessional behaviour by FRSC staff to the Corps through the FRSC Mobile Application or call the 122 for immediate action” reads the statement in part.
