Special Marshals’ boss cautions motorists against nervosity on sighting FRSC officials

By Praise Chinecherem

National Coordinator, Special Marshals, Adaji Usman has expressed concerns over apprehensive disposition of motorists on sighting personnel of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on nation’s highways.

He said such jittery was uncalled for as FRSC personnel are not on the roads for revenue generation but to ensure safety of road users.

Adaji spoke at the 2026 Special Marshals’ Zonal Conference, themed, “Repositioning Special Marshals for Greater Impact Through Strategic Partnership and Data-driven Road Safety Intervention” held at the Special Marshals’ Secretariat, FRSC Sector Command, Awka, Anambra state.

He said, “Most times when people see FRSC personnel, they’re jittery. That’s not the essence for which we’re established. We’re not revenue generation department.

“Rather, we’re there more of sensitization and orientation of road users. But when they are recalcitrant, enforcement becomes the last resort,” he added.

Describing the theme as apt and timely, the Special Marshals’ boss said the conference was opportunity for members to be reminded of their expectations with regards to vision and mission of the FRSC.

“During the event which has become our annual ritual, we’ll be looking at what’s expected of us with regards to vision and mission of the FRSC as we move forward.

“Road Safety is everybody’s business. Aside roads, safety generally is everybody’s responsibility. You need to be safe first for you to look for money.

“As personnel saddled with the responsibility of ensuring our roads are safe, you need to be safe first before you save others. You must be cautious.

“It’s expected of us to be guided by the rules of engagement. As paramilitary organization anchored by discipline, we’re always guided with every sense of responsibility and decorum,” he stressed.

On the ongoing repairs on the first Niger Bridge, the Special Marshals boss called on motorists to be patient, assuring that the temporary inconveniences would be rewarding.

Also speaking, State Coordinator, Special Marshal, Ogbusa Michael disclosed ongoing construction of hospital in Nteje in Oyi local government area of the state as part of efforts to compliment FRSC functions.

“We work in synergy to compliment activities of FRSC. We are currently building a hospital in Nteje to ensure immediate attention to crash victims. The project is almost 95% completion.

“Aside that project, we carry out public enlightenment campaigns to schools, hospitals, markets on dangers of careless use of roads,” he said.

While decrying increasing cases of crashes in the state, especially the Awka-Onitsha expressway, Ogbusa noted that 99percent of them are man-made.

“We record crashes almost on weekly basis. 99% of road crashes are human factors. That’s part of why we’re here today to educate our people to reduce crashes.

Ogbusa identified ignorance of motoring public about the Special Marshals’ functions as their major challenge, regretting the negative impact of such poor orientation to their duty.

He also absolved his men of alleged extortion of motorists, describing the Special Marshals as men of proven integrity and captains of industries with means of livelihood.

“Our major challenge is negative view of the public about us. I recall what happened to our men around Ugwunwasike. As we arrived the crash scene to assist, those around saw us as their problems, and wanted to mob us.

“Some of them don’t even know we’re men of proven integrity and captains of industry with means of livelihood who are contributing millions to ensure safety of roads,” he added.

Highlights of the conference were paper presentations, with Prof Amaka Metu and Pharm Abba Ogbonnaya as resource persons.