FRSC issues clarification on vehicle impoundment directive

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has denied issuing a directive that bans the impoundment of vehicles that violate traffic laws. The corps said it only stopped the practice of placing its staff in the vehicles of offenders to escort them for impoundment.

The clarification was made by the FRSC spokesman, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. He said the directive was issued by the corps marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, in a memo dated September 12, 2023, with the title “Immediate ban on the placing of staff in offenders vehicles to escort for impoundment.”

Kazeem said the memo was misinterpreted by some media outlets as a complete ban on the impoundment of vehicles, which he said was not the case. He said the corps marshal only wanted to end the practice of placing patrol operatives in offenders’ vehicles, which he said was unsafe and unprofessional.

“The corps marshal regrets any confusion caused by the earlier memo and would like to inform the public that the current position of the corps is as outlined in the corrected directive,” Kazeem said.

He added that the FRSC will continue to impound vehicles that violate traffic laws, such as overloading, speeding, and driving without a licence, among others. He said the impounded vehicles will be taken to designated yards or offices by FRSC tow trucks or other means.

He urged the public to cooperate with the FRSC and comply with traffic rules and regulations for their safety and that of other road users. He also warned against spreading false information about the corps and its activities.