Tension erupted in Kwara State when a motorcyclist stripped himself in protest after officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) seized his motorcycle. The dramatic encounter, captured in a viral video obtained by an online news source on Wednesday morning, has sparked outrage over alleged extortion by FRSC officials.
In the video, the distraught rider accused the FRSC officers of attempting to extort him, claiming they confiscated his motorcycle when he refused to comply with their demands. “There is nothing that can’t happen. You don’t know what I am going through, but you seized my Okada,” the rider lamented, revealing he had worked all day without earning enough to buy food for his family.
Passersby quickly intervened, condemning the FRSC officials for being insensitive to the plight of struggling Nigerians. "We will get his bike back. You’ve been cheating poor Nigerians for too long," one enraged witness said.
Another bystander lashed out at the officers, saying, "What do you want to collect from him that made you seize his bike? With the hardship we are facing under Tinubu’s administration, you’re still extorting us. It’s unfair!"
The FRSC has yet to issue an official statement on the incident at the time of this report.
Meanwhile, the controversy has reignited debates surrounding the proposal to arm FRSC officials. Prominent human rights lawyer, Sir Ifeanyi C. Ejiofor, has called on the National Assembly to reject the bill, warning that arming a civilian traffic agency could trigger violence on Nigeria’s already troubled roads.
Ejiofor cautioned that the use of weapons by traffic officials could lead to abuse of power, resulting in tragic incidents. "FRSC’s primary role is to guide, educate, and enforce traffic rules calmly, not to intimidate or instill fear," he argued.
The unfolding incident in Kwara has intensified public concerns, with many warning that arming the FRSC could escalate conflicts and expose ordinary citizens to further oppression and abuse.
