The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command, Hyginus Omeje, has warned motorists and the general public against assaulting marshals while on duty.
Omeje spoke against the backdrop of the assault of some marshals who attempted to arrest the driver of a Toyota Camry marked MU 780 KJA for not using seatbelt in the Jibowu area of Lagos on Sunday.
The driver who had no driver’s license on him was to have his vehicle impounded when he veered off the route into his street where he mobilised area boys to beat up the marshals with the officials sustaining various degrees of injuries.
In a statement made available to Qed.ng by the Acting Public Education Officer, Deputy Route Commander Olabisi Sonusi, Omeje debunked allegation that the marshals caused an accident while trying to stop the vehicle as there was no crash recorded during and after the arrest.
Omeje stated that the team had successfully arrested the man and was taking him to the FRSC Office in Yaba before the offender zoomed off to his neighbourhood and mobilised miscreants against the marshals.
“The offender capitalised on the confusion that ensued to run away with his vehicle,” the statement said.
Omeje said the matter has been reported to the police and that the Command has declared the vehicle wanted.
He warned against such occurrence in future promising to deal decisively with any motorist or group of persons who engage in such act no matter how highly placed the person or persons may be.
The statement added that it is a criminal offence to assault a marshal or an officer in the course of their duty, hence the Command has not only resolved to bring this particular culprits to book, but has equally resolved to bring the full weight of the law against any traffic offender who dares to assault our marshals in future.
