An unidentified tricycle rider was caught on camera beating an operative of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) along Benin – Sapele Road in Benin, the capital of Edo State.
In the video clip that our reporter saw, the man, angry and barely dressed, stood on the bonnet of the FRSC patrol vehicle.
The cause of his anger could not be ascertained from the footage shot by one of the spectators.
Reports from onlookers stated that the man undressed and charged the officers, attacking one of them in the process. He tore off the officer’s uniform.
In retaliation, some of the operatives ganged up against the man, raining blows and beatings on him.
According to a statement issued by the FRSC spokesperson Bisi Kazeem, the rider was arrested on Sunday morning for driving against traffic.
Mr Kazeem noted that, during the attack, the man tore the uniform of the staff and not only damaged the windscreen of the patrol car, but also damaged the bonnet and other parts of the body with mud and stone.
“The Corps wishes to register its displeasure at the incessant abuse of its personnel and damage to its property across its formations nationwide by unruly people and warns that this, like other unwarranted attacks, is highly unacceptable and the Corps will do everything within its legal strength to ensure that this act does not go without due punishment under the law.”
Mr Kazeem explained the response of the FRSC personnel as a self-defence tactic used to prevent him from further attacks on the personnel and their vehicles.
“The motoring public is hereby warned to note that, though the FRSC is civil in nature and discourages physical attack on offenders, this does not mean members of the Corps should watch and allow physical damage on its property and personnel in the course of their legitimate duty.”
Also, Mr Kazeem announced that the tricycle rider would be prosecuted as ordered by the Corps Marshal.
“The Corps Marshal, Boboye Opeyemi, has also ordered the prosecution of the perpetrator of that crazy act of humiliation and recklessness on law enforcement agents and noted that offenders who take undue advantage of unarmed personnel will not be spared any longer,” he said.
See video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdGJaPB9wdk
