The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has cleared the air on the incident involving its patrol team and a road traffic offender who drove with a pregnant woman in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
In a statement signed by the Corps Commander, Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, it described the incident as “distorted account”, adding that the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi had ordered investigation into the matter.
“In the first instance, the front seat occupant who was alleged to be pregnant, was not wearing her seatbelt at the point of arrest even when the driver persuaded her to comply, the statement read.
“Secondly, the alleged pregnant woman was not in labour as reported by the media, neither were they rushing to the hospital but was only given a lift to her destination by the driver.
“Thirdly, the identity of the alleged woman in labour is not known by the driver nor any other person that witnessed the incident.
“Lastly, the tyre was not punctured but the team leader who carried the act only stopped the driver from escaping.
“As at the time of this press statement, the investigative panel set by the Corps Marshal is still in touch with the woman who drove the car so as to ascertain the identity of the alleged woman in labour to know the truth and resolve the matter amicably.
“While the Corps (FRSC) appreciates the public and the social media for always bringing issues of this nature to the knowledge of the Corps, we wish to admonish the public to always be constructive and get their facts straight before making such posts especially when highly delicate and sensitive allegations like this are to be made.
“On our part, it is instructive to reiterate that the Corps, being the lead agency in road safety administration and traffic management in Nigeria, does not and will never condone indiscipline. As such, the entire patrol team members involved in the matter have been grounded from all patrol activities and to face a disciplinary panel immediately for sanctions were applicable.
