By Nkechinyere Ewa, Abakaliki
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged Special Marshals across Nigeria to enhance their discipline, vigilance, and collaboration with other security agencies in addressing the increasing security challenges on the nation’s highways.
The call was made during the 2025 Sectorial Security Workshop for Special Marshals, held on Saturday at the FRSC Special Marshals RS 9.2 Sector Command Headquarters in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
The biennial workshop, themed “Enhancing Security and Safety Strategies for Special Marshals Operations,” brought together top FRSC officials, zonal and state coordinators, national representatives, and stakeholders in road safety management.
Declaring the event open, Corps Commander Anthony Ogbodo, Sector Commander of RS 9.2 Ebonyi, commended the Special Marshals for their dedication and voluntary service, urging them to remain disciplined and cooperative during field operations.
“Special Marshals must remain disciplined, alert, and avoid confrontation during operations. This workshop is designed to enhance your security awareness, teamwork, and partnership with the regular corps in achieving our vision of safer roads and effective traffic compliance,” Ogbodo said.
Representing the Zonal Commanding Officer, RS-9Q Enugu, the Southeast Zonal Secretary of Special Marshals, Christian Ngele, conveyed the message of the Zonal Coordinator, Kenny Chris Njepuome, who emphasised inter-agency synergy as key to tackling emerging threats on Nigerian roads.
Delivering the keynote lecture, former Zonal Coordinator RS-9, Engineer Tony Muoneke, called for the digitalisation of patrol operations and improved welfare for Special Marshals.
“Marshals face physical, psychological, and environmental risks daily. The Corps must provide CCTV surveillance, radar guns, and fully equipped patrol vans, along with robust insurance coverage to safeguard personnel,” Muoneke advised.
Representing the National Coordinator of Special Marshals, SM Adadji Usman, the Deputy National Secretary, Dr Happiness Ikechukwu, reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to discipline, welfare, and reforms.
Usman noted that since the September 2025 elections, the new leadership had introduced several initiatives, including national data capture, upgraded uniforms, fitness programs, and enhanced insurance benefits “Discipline and professionalism are non-negotiable. Every marshal must comply with the Corps’ operational guidelines while maintaining integrity and respect for authority,” he stressed.
In his welcome remarks, the State Coordinator of Special Marshals RS 9.2 Ebonyi, Prince Richard Idike, highlighted the unit’s notable contributions to the command’s infrastructure and welfare improvement.
“In 2023, we donated a 6.5KVA generator and established a functional medical ward for the command. By 2024, we repainted the entire sector command to give it a renewed, professional look,” Idike stated.
The event also featured a minute of silence in honour of four Special Marshals who died in active service. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to discipline, vigilance, and closer cooperation with the FRSC in promoting road safety and national security.