The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has postponed indefinitely its promotion examinations scheduled to begin on Monday following prevailing security challenges.
It was gathered at the weekend that the corps took the decision following the abduction of some officers from the north travelling to the FRSC Academy in Udi, Enugu State, for the promotion assessment, by gunmen.
The development caused panic among other officers of the corps, who were expected to travel to Jos from the South for their examinations.
Some of the officers from the southern zone raised concerns over their continual movement to Jos for promotion courses and called on the management of the corps to decentralize the venue for such courses.
“It is no longer safe for us to be going to Jos to write promotion examination. We are asking the management to allow us write our examinations in our zones. We have zonal headquarters so it will be better for us to stay in our zone and write our exams.
“Apart from security concerns, we have had situations that people die on road accidents because of the long distance of travelling from the south to the north. We also incur a lot of expenses. We bear all the transport cost and feeding and sometimes only a fraction of the money is paid to us as allowances”.
The source further said that officers in his set had remained on one rank for over four years adding that they travelled to Jos last year for a similar examination only to be told by the management that they were not due for the assessment.
“Last year, we received a circular that we should go to Jos for our promotion exam. We went there only to be told that we were not due. We have remained on the rank of sergeant for over four years,” he said.
A circular dated September 17 and signed by Deputy Corps Marshal, DCM Ojeme Ewrudjakpor, had been postponed indefinitely citing the prevailing insecurity.
The circular said: “In view of the prevailing security challenges facing the Corps, I respect of some officers abducted on their way to the FRSC Academy in Udi, the management has postponed all promotional exams till further notice.
“Management is making frantic efforts along with other security agencies towards securing their release unharmed. All members of staff are enjoined to pray for their safe return. The current promotion courses will be reviewed as soon as the situation returns to normalcy.
“Arising from the above, staff earlier scheduled for arrival at the FRSC Academy Udi and FRSC Training School on Sunday 20th September are to remain in their commands.”