THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Bauchi Sector Command, says it provides rescue services to all accident victims regardless of whether the crash occurs on a federal or state road.
FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Istifanus Ibrahim, made the clarification in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday, in Bauchi.
According to him, saving lives should not be hindered by jurisdictional boundaries.
“When it comes to saving lives, it should not matter whether it is a federal or state road,” he said.“If there’s a road traffic crash, rescue personnel cannot stand aside and ask whether it’s a federal or state road before helping.“We must avoid this kind of dichotomy,” Ibrahim added.
The sector commander recalled a recent legal challenge in which some individuals sued the FRSC at a Federal High Court, claiming the corps had no jurisdiction to operate on state roads.
“The plaintiffs sought N20 million in exemplary and general damages, alleging harassment of road users by FRSC officials.
“However, Justice Aisha Ibrahim, who presided over the case, dismissed the suit on Friday.
“She ruled that the plaintiffs failed to provide evidence proving the roads in question were state-owned and did not substantiate claims of harassment.
“The judge held that the plaintiffs had not discharged the burden of proof required by the court,” Ibrahim said.
He reiterated the FRSC’s commitment to safeguarding lives, stressing that ” the corps does not discriminate based on road ownership.
“Our mission is to save lives, Nigerian lives, not federal or state lives,” he added.
