The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, has expressed deep concern over increasing cases of bribery, indiscipline, drug abuse, and general misconduct among personnel, warning that such practices threaten the integrity and credibility of the agency.
Mohammed made these remarks on Wednesday while addressing commanding officers at the FRSC’s 2025 Half-Year Strategy Session held in Abuja. The session, themed “Driving Change from Within: Reinforcing Integrity, Accountability, and Performance,” focused on addressing internal administrative challenges and reforming the Corps’ operations.
“There are alarming reports of patrol misconduct, bribery, corruption, poor oversight, drug abuse, and general indiscipline among our officers. These unethical behaviours are undermining our credibility and affecting our performance,” the Corps Marshal said.
He stressed that the rising misconduct has led to growing public mistrust in the agency’s operations. “Nigerians expect professionalism and accountability from us. If we lose their trust, we lose our mandate,” he warned.
Mohammed called on Commanding Officers (COs) to take ownership of their leadership roles and ensure strict enforcement of discipline. “You must identify emerging behavioural threats, investigate the causes, and apply the appropriate disciplinary measures. We must not tolerate compromise or complacency,” he said.
He also emphasized the need for cultural change within the Corps. “Leadership at every level must reinforce the chain of command. The culture of compromise must end. We cannot afford to let ethical decay take root,” he added.
Highlighting the need for motivation and fairness, the Corps Marshal said, “We must penalize misconduct and reward excellence. Officers who go the extra mile should be recognized to inspire performance across the board.”
Amidst challenges of dwindling budgetary support, Mohammed encouraged field commanders to adopt innovative approaches to sustain operations. “We must forge stronger partnerships, especially with state governments, to support critical activities,” he advised.
Despite internal issues, Mohammed celebrated the Corps’ recent achievements. He noted that Nigeria won the prestigious Kofi Annan Road Safety Award for best performance in road safety management in Africa. Additionally, the country was selected to host the Permanent Secretariat of the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies.
“These recognitions elevate FRSC as a continental leader in road safety. It is a testament to the hard work of our personnel and the Federal Government’s unwavering support,” he said.
Mohammed also highlighted recent developments in the legislative framework, revealing that the FRSC Establishment Act 2007 is set to be amended. The proposed law will rename the Corps to the Nigeria Road Safety Commission, expand its jurisdiction to all public roads, and establish a special armed squad to boost enforcement.
“The NRSC will be legally empowered to operate on all public roads, and we are working towards better welfare for senior officers, including consolidated salaries,” he explained.
To motivate staff, the agency recently promoted three Assistant Corps Marshals to Deputy Corps Marshals, 18 Corps Commanders to ACMs, and over 1,200 personnel to various higher ranks.
“The management is determined to foster a positive work environment that promotes productivity and professionalism,” Mohammed said.
The FRSC also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, to enhance transport safety across sectors. The NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., praised the partnership as crucial for preventing accidents and ensuring thorough investigations.
“We’re here to support the FRSC through safety recommendations that will protect lives across the road transport sector,” Badeh noted.
Declaring the session open, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation , Senator George Akume, represented by Sanusi Danjuma, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, commended the FRSC’s efforts despite logistical and funding challenges.
Akume highlighted alarming crash statistics between January and May 2025, noting over 2,400 deaths and more than 33,000 injuries. He called for greater collaboration, enforcement, and public education.
“Government remains committed to supporting your vision of achieving zero traffic fatalities. Keep leveraging digital tools like the FRSC mobile app and crash information systems to improve efficiency and data-driven policies,” Akume said.
The FRSC strategy session marks another step in the Corps’ push for internal reform, accountability, and strengthened road safety nationwide.
