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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has rejected allegations of harassment and assault linked to a traffic enforcement operation in Abuja, saying its officers acted professionally during the exercise.
The reaction followed a viral video in which FRSC officials were accused of harassing members of the public, alongside claims that a man was struck with an iron rod during the incident. The footage sparked criticism online and concerns over alleged abuse of power.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Deputy Corps Commander and Corps Public Education Officer at FRSC Headquarters, Osondu Ohaeri, said the account circulating online was misleading and did not accurately reflect what happened.
According to the Corps, the incident occurred on Thursday, April 16, 2026, during a routine enforcement exercise by the RS7.14 Central Business District Unit Command.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE INCIDENT INVOLVING FRSC PATROL TEAM CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ABUJA
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) wishes to address the trending video and public concerns regarding an incident involving its patrol team pic.twitter.com/gpKUHBCUJm
— FRSC, NIGERIA (@FRSCNigeria) April 18, 2026
FRSC said officers stopped a vehicle over traffic violations, including overloading and failure to use seatbelts, and began standard enforcement procedures.
The agency added that tension rose when the driver allegedly refused to comply with lawful directives, drawing attention from bystanders and causing a crowd to gather.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps wishes to address the trending video and public concerns regarding an incident involving its patrol team… Contrary to the misleading narrative being circulated, the incident arose during a routine traffic enforcement operation,” the statement said.
“The vehicle was lawfully intercepted for identifiable traffic violations, including overloading and seatbelt non-compliance. In line with standard procedures, appropriate steps were taken to enforce compliance.
“During the course of the operation, the driver became non-compliant and diverted from lawful directives, creating a scene that attracted public attention and increased tension within the area,” the FRSC said.
Responding to allegations of assault, the Corps insisted that no officer threatened, assaulted or attempted to use force against the driver or any passenger.
It also said the man seen holding an iron rod in the viral video was neither an FRSC officer nor connected to the driver, describing him as a passerby whose actions had been wrongly interpreted.
“It is important to categorically state that at no time did any FRSC personnel assault, threaten, or attempt to use force against the driver or any occupant of the vehicle.
“The individual seen in the circulating video holding an iron rod is neither connected to the driver nor to the Corps, but rather a passerby whose actions have been misconstrued,” it added.
According to the statement, officers later disengaged from the scene to calm tensions and prevent the situation from escalating further.
The FRSC reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, discipline and public safety, while urging Nigerians to disregard what it described as misleading narratives and cooperate with lawful traffic enforcement operations.
