A joint security team led by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have arrested no fewer than 15 officers of the FRSC for allegedly extorting monies from motorists on highways across the country.
The officers were reportedly arrested on August 12, simultaneously in Adamawa, Gombe, Ondo and Osun States, with the extorted money on them. This was during the enforcement of the sixth phase of ‘Operation Tranquility’ by officers of ICPC, FRSC and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The operation, aimed at bringing 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.
Also arrested by the members of Operation Tranquility were four FRSC officials in Gombe State, along Gombe Township routes, while four others were arrested within Ikare Township routes in Ondo State.
The team discovered 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 road worthiness of vehicles.
A statement today, August 26 confirming the arrests by ICPC spokesperson, Azuka C. Ogugua and spokesperson of the FRSC, Bisi Kazeem, said that those arrested have been granted administrative bail by the Commission, but that investigations are on-going to ensure that those culpable are appropriately punished.
