FRSC Credits Special Marshals for Supporting Safer Roads

The Federal Road Safety Corps has praised the contributions of its Special Marshals to road safety efforts across Nigeria, noting their role in traffic management, public education and enforcement support.

The Special Marshals are the volunteer arm of the FRSC and work alongside regular personnel to promote safer road use. The Corps says their activities include highway patrols, traffic control, public enlightenment and support for other road safety operations.

The recognition comes as road safety authorities continue to focus on reducing crashes and the number of people killed or injured on Nigerian roads. Special Marshals provide an additional community-based presence that allows the FRSC to reach motorists, pedestrians and other road users beyond its regular operational structure.

Their role extends beyond traffic enforcement. Special Marshals are also involved in educating members of the public about safer driving practices and encouraging compliance with traffic regulations. In Anambra, for example, the FRSC recently involved Special Marshals in road safety education, including campaigns on pedestrian crossings and safer road use around schools and communities.

The Corps has also relied on Special Marshals during periods of increased travel. During the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, thousands of FRSC personnel, including Special Marshals, were deployed nationwide as part of operations aimed at reducing crashes, managing traffic and responding to emergencies.

Their involvement is particularly important because road safety is not limited to enforcement officers alone. Community members who understand local traffic patterns and can communicate directly with motorists can help reinforce safety messages and identify risks that require attention.

The Special Marshal structure was established under the FRSC Act as a volunteer component of the Corps. Unlike regular marshals, members serve without remuneration but are authorised to carry out designated road safety activities under the guidance of the Corps.

The Corps' own records describe the volunteers as an important part of its operational model, with Special Marshals supporting patrol activities, traffic control, advocacy and public enlightenment.

Their contribution, however, comes with risks. Special Marshals operate around busy highways and traffic corridors where they can be exposed to the same dangers they are trying to prevent. The FRSC has previously warned volunteers to prioritise their safety while carrying out road safety duties after some members were struck by vehicles during operations.

Security challenges have also affected road safety operations in some parts of the country. The National Coordinator of Special Marshals, Usman Adaji, recently noted that insecurity in areas affected by kidnapping, banditry and insurgency has made some road safety activities more difficult. He nevertheless reaffirmed the volunteers' commitment to supporting the FRSC's mandate through education, traffic management and advocacy.

The emphasis on volunteer participation reflects the broader need for cooperation between government agencies and the public in addressing road crashes. Dangerous driving, excessive speed, overloading, poor vehicle maintenance and disregard for traffic regulations remain issues that require sustained attention from both authorities and road users.

The FRSC has continued to combine enforcement with public education and targeted operations. In July, for instance, the Corps launched an operation in Enugu focused on violations such as overloading, dangerous driving, speeding, route violations and the use of phones while driving.

For Special Marshals, their effectiveness will depend not only on their visibility on the roads but also on continued training, proper coordination with regular FRSC personnel and adequate protection while performing their voluntary duties.

For motorists, the presence of Special Marshals should serve as a reminder that road safety is a shared responsibility. Following traffic regulations, avoiding dangerous driving and reporting hazards can complement the work of enforcement agencies.

The FRSC's recognition of the volunteers therefore highlights an important part of Nigeria's road safety structure: the involvement of citizens in protecting lives on the country's highways.

As the Corps continues its efforts to reduce crashes, fatalities and injuries, the contribution of Special Marshals is expected to remain an important part of its wider road safety strategy.