FRSC clarifies old trending video encounter with tricycle operator in Benin

FRSC, Federal Road Safety Corps, has come out to clarify misleading information on a trending video. The video is about an encounter between FRSC patrol team and a tricycle rider in Benin, Edo State. Reproduced below is FRSC’s statement signed by its image maker, Bisi Kazeem

The attention of the Federal Road Safety Corps has been drawn to an old video currently being  recirculated on the internet, showing an erring tricycle rider who went on a face off with FRSC patrol team, after been caught destroying patrol vehicle along Sapele road Benin, Edo state.

The Corps wishes to inform the general public that the incident did not just happen as purportedly misrepresented by social media operators. The video was recorded in Benin, along Benin/Sapele road on Thursday, 16 July, 2020 and the Staff involved have been adequately disciplined in accordance with FRSC Regulations on Maintenance of Discipline at the instance of the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi and the outcome of the trial made public on 2 August, 2020.

You would recall that the Corps Marshal had ordered the constitution of a disciplinary panel immediately the case was reported, to conduct a holistic investigation and trial of the 7 man patrol team involved in the incident. And at the end of the trial, the entire team were awarded Reduction in Rank.

The Corps Marshal approved the recommendation of the panel. He also directed the immediate redeployment of the affected Staff from the Command.

AWARDED  PUNISHMENT

The Reduction in Rank was awarded as  punishment to the team having been investigated, tried and found guilty of patrol misconduct, incivility, unprofessional, and unethical behaviour towards an offender; an act that contradicts the operational ethics of the Corps.

The Corps Marshal has also warned personnel to deploy maximum level of civility in arresting offenders rather than putting laws into their hands, as the Management of the Corps will continue in its steadfastness towards ensuring that its personnel exhibit the highest level of civility, professionalism and ethical values while relating with the public.

As an organisation that does not condone indiscipline, the Corps had to punish its staff first, for been uncivil towards the tricycle rider so as to deter other staff and compel them to be tolerant, more professional and gentlemanly while handling traffic violators.

This measures were carried out irrespective of the fact that the rider was apprehended driving against traffic, went berserk at the point of arrest, stripped himself naked, and started throwing obstacles on both personnel and the patrol vehicle and at some point, even dragged the patrol operatives in uniform without anyone assaulting him. All these happened in an attack that saw him destroy the staff’s uniform and not only damaged the windscreen of the patrol car, but disfigured the bonnet and other body parts with mud and stone.

Having stated the obvious, the Corps Marshal wishes to admonish the perpetrators of such media propaganda to desist from heating up the polity at this sensitive moment of our national development, and fashion out measures that could enhance peaceful coexistence, rather than ignite anger and violence.