By Uzoma Chukwudi
A bill to allow operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to bear arms has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives amid steep opposition from Nigerians.
The bill was proposed by two lawmakers; Abiodun Adesida and Olaide Muhammed.
The bill aims to improve traffic and safety management and reduce car accidents on public roads.
Netizens have shown extreme concern as to how this is a dangerous bill.
An X user @olawalesmd said: “No matter what you want to tell me, there is no reason, absolutely no reason why a FRSC Officer should carry a gun. It doesn’t help them do their job better except to further harass the Nigerian citizens. We don’t need more trigger-happy officers. That bill must never be passed”
Another user @AkkoPaul added: “Arming the FRSC with guns is total madness. We’ve got lots of madmen with depraved mental health, running around and brandishing weapons at the slightest instance. The people aren’t safe anymore. These men need routine proper psych evaluations and capacity building. Not guns!”
@talk2veee also said: “Arming FRSC will be asking for a blood bath. Do you want to arm people who weren’t trained from the onset on how to resist force? VIO is also sucking blood without guns, then imagine what FRSC will do with Guns. God have Mercy!”
@Nitemi_IV added: “The bill to arm FRSC Officials has passed the second reading. I don’t know how to explain how dangerous this is. @NGRPresident@NGRSenate FRSC upholds civil laws not criminal, they don’t need guns to do their job. The people they police are citizens, not criminals”
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@WilsonAkintade said: “There was a reason they banned them from using guns, I don’t know why some people will gather again and sponsor a clearly dangerous bill. Don’t give FRSC officers guns, their work is to keep the road safe which can be done without the introduction of guns”
