The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has barred its personnel from escorting politicians during campaigns for the 2027 general elections, warning against the use of official vehicles and sirens for political activities and private engagements.
The directive was issued by the Zonal Commanding Officer of RS6, ACM Abimbola Owolabi, during her maiden visit to the Cross River State Command in Calabar on Wednesday.
Owolabi warned that FRSC patrol vehicles and sirens must not be deployed for political activities or private engagements, including weddings and funeral processions.
She directed officers assigned to campaign venues to concentrate exclusively on traffic management to prevent congestion and road crashes, stressing that personnel must not lead political convoys or provide escort services for politicians.
The zonal commander also cautioned against the unauthorised use of official vehicles, insisting that personnel must remain focused on their statutory responsibilities.
She urged officers to intensify public education on road safety, noting that sustained awareness campaigns could help reduce road crashes and achieve zero fatalities.
Owolabi further warned against extortion, corruption and other forms of unprofessional conduct, urging personnel to uphold accountability and protect the reputation of the corps.
“Misconduct by patrol operators and other personnel undermines public confidence in the corps. Officers must be extremely accountable across operational units,” she said.
She also advised officers to prioritise their safety during enforcement operations and avoid unnecessary confrontations that could result in assaults, injuries or damage to their uniforms.
The FRSC commander called for professionalism and discretion in dealing with motorists, particularly in volatile situations that could escalate into violence.
On traffic management, she urged stronger partnerships with private operators to ensure that broken-down vehicles were promptly removed from highways and traffic obstructions cleared.
She also stressed the need for prompt emergency response, effective rescue operations and intensified patrols to reduce road crashes and fatalities.
The directive comes as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the FRSC emphasising that its personnel must prioritise road safety and traffic control rather than provide escorts for political campaigns.
