A new regime of stringent operational protocols, including strict adherence to corps guidelines, compulsory medical certification and enhanced mental alertness, were unveiled at the 2025 sectoral workshop of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ekiti State Special Marshals RS 8.2 Sector Command.
The event, held on Saturday in Ado Ekiti under the theme “Enhancing Security And Safety For Special Marshals Operations,” was a direct response to the escalating insecurity nationwide, compelling a strategic shift towards member safety and capacity building.
Speaking through the National Welfare Officer, Mrs.Folake Adebayo, the National Coordinator for Special Marshals, Adaji Usman, declared the theme critically apt. He emphasized that maintaining high alertness is no longer optional but a fundamental requirement for every member on duty. The corps administration has mandated that all new applicants must present a compulsory certificate of medical fitness from a recognized hospital, a move designed to eliminate the porous enlistment practices of the past. Further pillars of the new directive include unwavering transparency, accountability, fully stocked health equipment, and strict discipline.
Echoing this sentiment, the State Sector Commander, Sanya Adeoye, assured members of the corps’ vested interest in their well-being. Commander Adeoye drilled down on practical measures, urging Marshals to be perpetually conscious of their surroundings, maintain direct communication with local security heads before patrols, and foster healthy community engagement platforms to build essential trust and support.
The State Coordinator, Dr. Adedayo Olumuyiwa, contextualized the urgency, noting that as a voluntary arm, the safety of those who save others is paramount. He called for an immediate review of present operational procedures to navigate a landscape riddled with dangers including kidnapping, hit-and-run drivers, and deteriorating road infrastructure.
He explained further that members are expected to be law abiding so that they serve as models for others, be proactive as they discharge their duties and report any form of abnormalities for prompt response by corps.
However, the workshop’s most explosive segment was the question and answer session, where participants confronted command with the stark realities of their daily duties. A primary concern raised was the urgent need for Regular Marshals to consistently request identification from Special Marshals to curb criminal impersonation, a vulnerability that has caused significant operational friction.
From the command, crucial clarifications were made. It was firmly established that FRSC Marshals possess the legal authority to patrol all public roads, dispelling any notion of restriction to federal roads only. The corps reiterated its zero-tolerance stance for any illegality, warning that severe punishment awaits any defaulting member. Furthermore, the command vowed to sustain relentless sensitization campaigns targeting commercial motorcycle riders popularly called”Okada Riders”, identified as perpetual defaulters of traffic laws.
The event included a charge from the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Joseph Adegboyega, who implored Marshals to adhere strictly to guidelines and uphold the dignity of the corps. The day also saw the recognition and sensitization of approximately 30 new inductees, with certificates of participation awarded to participants,symbolizing a renewed commitment to the FRSC’s elevated standards.
