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Stakeholders Debate Special Armed Squad for FRSC

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By Gloria Ikibah
The majority of stakeholders in Nigeria’s road transport sector have voiced their support for the establishment of a special armed squad for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The proposal was discussed on during a public hearing on a bill seeking to amend the FRSC Act, 2007, which includes the creation of the squad organised by the House of Representatives Committee on the FRSC, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Supporters of the bill urged its quick passage, citing the increasing dangers faced by FRSC personnel.
However, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and National Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NACTOMORAS) opposed the proposal, as they argued that arming FRSC officers could conflict with their primary mandate.
Pioneer Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Gen. Baba Hanania (rtd), commended the House of Representatives for introducing the bill, he urged stakeholders to look beyond sentimentssaas he said, “Let us support the move by the House to protect FRSC personnel and their property.”
A former chairman of the FRSC governing board, Mallam Buhari Bello, and Mr. Sule Usman (SAN), also supported the amendments, emphasizing the need for swift implementation to enhance safety.
Retired Deputy Corps Marshal Kayode Olagunju recalled surviving an attack by hoodlums during an anti-fraud operation.
He said, “Properly trained personnel can eliminate the risks of accidental discharge or misuse.” Similarly, retired Deputy Corps Marshal Charles Akpabio narrated how his patrol team was attacked by a mob, stating, “There is a need for an armed squad to protect our personnel and facilities, with clear rules of engagement.”
Representative of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Dr. Kassim Ibrahim also endorsed the proposal, describing a robust FRSC as critical to protecting lives and infrastructure.
Also representative of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Atiku Ahmed added that arming FRSC officers would reduce the burden on other security agencies.
Comrade Frank Uche of NURTW expressed reservations, and stated, “An armed squad could duplicate police functions and has a high potential for abuse, especially in the current economic climate.”
Representative of NACTOMORAS, Mohammed Sani Hassan, suggested that armed personnel should be limited to protecting FRSC facilities and offices, avoiding direct enforcement duties in civilian areas.
But Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed defended the proposal, highlighting the dangers faced by FRSC operatives during rescue missions.
He said, “Road safety enforcement agents worldwide are armed. Empowering the FRSC with an armed squad could deter criminal activities on highways and improve safety in Nigeria.”
Chairman of the House Committee on the FRSC, Rep. Abiodun Adesida,  emphasized that the proposed squad was part of broader reforms to reposition the Corps. He noted that stricter penalties for road offenses would also protect FRSC personnel who risk their lives daily.
The debate highlighted a mix of strong support and cautious opposition, setting the stage for further discussions on the bill.
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BREAKING: Jubilation As PDP Wins All 30 LGs In Osun State(See winners)

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, has announced that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, won all the local government and councillorship positions in the just concluded local government elections in the state.

The Chairman of the Commission, Hashim Abioye, made this announcement via a Facebook Live broadcast on Saturday evening.

Abioye stated that PDP candidates secured all the councillorship seats in all 332 wards in the state, as well as the chairmanship elections in all 30 local government council areas.

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The names of the PDP chairmanship candidates and their respective local government council areas:

Babalola Wasiu Kayode – Boripe

Okunade Oluwafemi Adesanya – Egbedore

Adeyenuwo Rotimi John – Ife Central

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Agboola Francis Olajire – Obokun

Azeez Lateef Adeniran – Isokan

Aina Abayomi Adesina – Boluwaduro

Sodiq Samuel Oluwapelumi – Ola Oluwa

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Ajibade Oluwatoyin S. – Irepodun

Adebanjo Oladiti Tunmininu – Ilesa West

Ibironke Alade Adegboye – Atakumosa East

Aroke Muyiwa Aderemi – Ife South

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Kolade Obafemi Kolawole – Olorunda

Moshood Adekunle Kabiru – Iwo

Awotunde Abiodun Sarafadeen – Ifelodun

Akande Taiwo Adekunle – Osogbo

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Dada Feyisayo Ajibola – Atakumosa West

Amodu Taiwo – Ede North

Atolagbe Kayode Olayinka – Ifedayo

Akande Michael O. – Ife North

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Adeyekun Taiwo Adebayo – Oriade

Adeniran Adenike Felicia – Ayedaade

Afolabi Oyekola Lukman – Ede South

Odunyemi Haruna Bukola – Ife East

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Jooda Ambali Babajide – Irewole

Adewale Adeyinka Oluwaseun – Odo Otin

Ogunbiyi Solomon Akinyemi – Ayedire

Raimi Adenike Nafisat – Ejigbo

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Adebisi Jayeola Nasir – Ila

Ilesanmi Taiwo Sunday – Ilesa East

Alade Aderemi Fatai – Orolu

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DSS arrests three for assaulting operatives during LSHA crisis

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested three persons linked to the alleged assault on its officers during the crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly, following the removal Mudashiru Obasa, as Speaker

Apparently sensing danger, some lawmakers had mobilized their supporters to the Assembly Complex, but these supporters allegedly attacked some DSS officers who were invited by the Assembly leadership to secure the facility. Security sources revealed that “after extensive analysis of CCTV footage, we were able to clearly identify three of the suspects”.
“The suspects, Ibrahim Olanrewaju Abdulkareem, a photographer and two others attached to the Assembly’s Seargent at Arms, Adetu Adekunle Samsudeen and Adetola Oluwatosin Fatimoh, a lady, were consequently tracked and arrested during the week in different parts of Lagos,” The trio have since confessed to the crime and will soon be charged to court, the source said.

It would be recalled that the Lagos Assembly had in a leaked memo dated 14th February, 2025 and addressed to the DSS Director in the State, and Heads of other Security Agencies in Lagos State, told the Security Agencies in Lagos that, there was credible information to the effect that, Obasa had planned to forcefully reinstate himself today, February 18, 2025.
Accordingly, the Assembly management, held the view that, the development posed “a potential security threat” to it and its members.

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Police seal OSSIEC office, officials nabbed, says chairman

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, has claimed that the police have sealed off the headquarters in Osogbo.

In a video post on the OSSIEC X handle, Abioye accused the police of also arresting election officials and blocking journalists from covering the local government election.

According to him, several OSSIEC officials were detained while on their way to polling units on Saturday.

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Attempts by our correspondent to reach Abioye for further details proved abortive as his telephone line was switched off.

The OSSIEC chair, in the post, assured voters that materials had been deployed to affected areas.

So far so good, the reports have been positive and the conduct has been very smooth and peaceful as against the false alarm raised by the police. Everywhere is calm,” Abioye said.

“The only thing is that in some of the areas in which materials are supposed to have arrived for voters to cast their votes, we had reports of police arresting our officials.

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“I don’t know on whose order because there is no court order that warranted the arrest of officers of our officials.

“As it is, we have deployed materials to those units because we have enough on the ground.

For our people in the media community, I want to apologise for the inadequacy of the tags and the jackets because we have enough but the police sealed our office and that was not warranted at all.”

Abioye’s comments come after police had called for the local government election to be called off by the state government, citing a security threat.

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In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday, the Police said it received credible intelligence indicating a likelihood of violence and significant security threats should the planned elections proceed.

The police explained that reports gathered from joint intelligence gathering revealed that various groups, including political elements and other interested parties, are mobilising to instigate unrest, disrupt public peace and undermine the democratic order.

However, the Osun State government acknowledged the police’s advice but insisted on going on with the election.

Channels Television reports that the election eventually went on as scheduled on Saturday.

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