ICPC, FRSC Arrest 15 Road Safety Officials Over Extortion Of Motorists

Fifteen officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have been arrested through a joint security operation led by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for allegedly extorting monies from motorists on highways across the country.

The officials were arrested on August 12, 2021, simultaneously in Adamawa, Gombe, Ondo, and Osun States, respectively, with the extorted money on them, during the enforcement of the sixth phase of ‘Operation Tranquility’ by officers of ICPC, FRSC and the Department of State Services (DSS), a joint statement by ICPC spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua and her FRSC counterpart, Bisi Kazeem, said Thursday.

The operation, whose aim is to bring an end to extortion of motorists and other unwholesome practices by some FRSC officials, resulted in the arrest of seven officials along the Jimeta Township Routes and Yola Expressway in Adamawa State.

Some money was recovered from them as they were raided while extorting motorists.

Also, the members of Operation Tranquility arrested four FRSC officials in Gombe State, along Gombe Township routes. While four others were arrested within Ikare Township routes in Ondo State.

The team noted that the officials would sometimes enter vehicles belonging to motorists to negotiate and collect the bribes to avoid being seen by passers-by as well as employ the services of local government revenue collectors as agents to cover their illicit acts.

It was also found in the course of the operation that two patrol teams in Adamawa and Gombe States respectively were not involved in any corrupt act as they were caught under surveillance checking documentations and ensuring roadworthiness of vehicles.

All the FRSC arrested have been granted administrative bail by the Commission. However, further investigation activities are ongoing to ensure that those culpable are appropriately punished, the statement said.