The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has applauded the intelligence gathering capacity of the Federal Road Safety Corps, saying the corps was critical to the security architecture of Nigeria.

Mr Tunji-Ojo made this statement when he visited the FRSC headquarters in Abuja.

He tasked officers and men of the corps to be extraordinary in road safety management and continue exhibiting professionalism as they discharged their duties.

According to him, the intelligence they gathered from the enhanced visibility of the corps will help boost the security of the nation.

He said, “I believe FRSC has a role to play even within the internal security architecture of Nigeria.’’

The minister, who emphasised on the role played by the corps to ensure safety on the highways, added that the FRSC remained committed to its mandate of ensuring safety of lives and property.

“We appreciate the support and recognition of your efforts and look forward to continuing collaborating with you,” he said.

Responding, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, thanked the minister for his support and recognition of the FRSC’s role in internal security.

The corps marshal said that the minister’s statement was a testament to the FRSC’s strategic position in the nation’s security framework.

Mr Mohammed added that FRSC as a lead agency in road safety management consistently demonstrated its capacity to adapt to emerging security challenges.

He said, “In recent times, the FRSC has expanded its scope of operations to include intelligence gathering, surveillance, and enforcement of traffic laws.

“These efforts have significantly contributed to the reduction of road crashes and enhancement of national security.’’

Mr Mohammed noted that the FRSC’s role in internal security was multifaceted saying that the corps’ presence on the highways and roads provided a visible deterrence to criminal activities.

This, he added, made its intelligence gathering capabilities support other security agencies in their operations.

He also said that the FRSC’s collaboration with other security agencies had also facilitated the sharing of intelligence and best practices, leading to a more coordinated approach to national security.

“I must commend your good work as the interior minister. Your strategic interventions have yielded remarkable results, and one notable achievement is the streamlined process for obtaining an international passport within just two weeks. FRSC will continue to evolve and adapt to emerging security challenges. We remain committed to our core mandate of ensuring road safety. The corps’ efforts at reducing road crashes and fatalities are closely tied to its contributions to national security,” he said.

The corps marshal assured that the FRSC would continue to work tirelessly to ensure road safety and continued contributions to national security.

(NAN)