The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, has directed frontline marshals to maintain discipline, integrity, fairness and professionalism while carrying out their responsibilities on Nigerian roads.
Mohammed gave the directive on Tuesday during a two-day capacity-building programme organised for frontline marshals of the RS10 Sokoto Sector Command.
The Corps Marshal, who was represented by the Zonal Corps Marshal, ACM Fredrick Ogidan, said the training was designed to strengthen the competence and operational effectiveness of personnel.
He explained that the programme reflected the management’s commitment to equipping road safety officers with the knowledge and skills required to meet the demands of modern road safety operations.
Mohammed described frontline marshals as the most visible representatives of the FRSC, noting that their interactions with motorists could significantly influence how members of the public perceive the organisation.
He therefore urged personnel to ensure that their conduct, communication, appearance and enforcement methods consistently reflect the standards expected of a professional road safety organisation.
The FRSC boss also emphasised the need for emotional intelligence and fairness when enforcing traffic regulations, stressing that carrying out enforcement duties should not unnecessarily lead to confrontation with road users.
According to him, enforcement must remain professional, measured, consistent and respectful of the dignity of motorists and other road users.
Mohammed further reminded the marshals that the FRSC uniform represents the authority of the government and should therefore be worn and exercised responsibly by every officer.
He noted that the responsibilities of road safety personnel extend beyond traffic control and enforcement, as officers must also be able to identify hazards, manage emerging risks and respond appropriately to changing traffic conditions.
The Corps Marshal consequently charged commanders and facilitators to sustain the benefits of the training through effective supervision, mentoring, coaching and periodic assessments of personnel.
The Sokoto Sector Commander, Corps Commander Adamu Argungu, said continuous training had become necessary because of the changing nature of the road safety environment.
Argungu identified increasing traffic volumes, distracted driving, vehicle overloading, poor road infrastructure and technological developments among the challenges currently confronting road safety operations.
He encouraged the participating marshals to actively engage with the training sessions, ask questions and share practical experiences from their operations.
The sector commander also reminded the officers that their responsibilities go beyond enforcement, describing them as road safety educators, traffic managers and ambassadors of the FRSC.
A guest facilitator and retired Deputy Corps Marshal, Shehu Zaki, described the programme as an opportunity for personnel to renew their commitment and improve their understanding of their duties.
Zaki observed that Nigeria’s operational environment had changed considerably over the years, creating new challenges for government agencies and their personnel.
He urged the marshals to pay close attention to sessions covering ethics, values, emotional intelligence, the rule of law and other areas relevant to their responsibilities.
According to him, continuous reorientation is particularly important in an environment where road safety personnel may encounter increasing vulnerability and provocation while performing their duties.
Zaki encouraged participants to make full use of the training opportunity and return to their respective commands with improved knowledge and a clearer understanding of their responsibilities.
The training is expected to contribute to strengthening the professionalism and effectiveness of frontline FRSC personnel as they continue to manage traffic, educate road users and enforce road safety regulations across the country.