The viral video of an FRSC officer being assaulted by a passenger shocked many last week. However, the officer, Assistant Road Marshal Habib Sayidi, has now explained why he remained calm and patient during the ordeal.
On December 7, a video circulated showing a woman attacking Sayidi after her car was impounded by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The incident occurred when FRSC officers stopped the Toyota Corolla she was in for having expired vehicle papers.
In the video, the woman is seen slapping and pushing Sayidi, but he does not retaliate. Instead, he stands still, taking the abuse without responding.
Sayidi, speaking at a ceremony in Lagos organized by the FRSC to commend his professionalism, explained that his calmness came from his upbringing.
“My father always tells me that in any situation I find myself, I should be patient, and that was why I did not respond when the woman was hitting me,” he said, his voice steady.
FRSC Lagos Sector Commander, Kehinde Hamzat, presented Sayidi with a commendation letter for his exemplary behavior during the assault. Hamzat praised Sayidi’s professionalism and resilience under pressure.
“We are proud of how Habib handled this difficult situation,” Hamzat said. “He showed the highest level of patience and professionalism. It’s a reflection of the values we expect from all our officers.”
The assault, which gained widespread attention online, was condemned by many Nigerians who expressed their shock at the officer’s treatment. Despite the widespread outrage, Sayidi remained calm throughout the event, choosing not to react to the woman’s actions.
Hamzat also took the opportunity to praise the actions of Chief Route Commander Abdullahi Mohammad, who helped to maintain order during the altercation. Mohammad, who was present at the scene, tried to de-escalate the situation when the woman began attacking Sayidi.
“We understand that officers face a variety of reactions from the public,” Hamzat said. “Our job requires us to sometimes use force, but we must always strike the right balance to avoid violating people’s rights.”
He added, “We always advise our officers to show resilience, to maintain professionalism and to act within the law.”
The video of the assault sparked public debate on the treatment of road safety officers in Nigeria. Many have called for harsher consequences for those who assault officers while they are on duty.
Patrick Adenusi, the Managing Director of Safety Beyond Borders, a road safety NGO, also praised the FRSC for their swift action in rewarding Sayidi’s calmness.
“This commendation is important,” Adenusi said. “It boosts morale and shows the public that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. If nothing is done, it encourages others to behave in the same way.”
Adenusi also stressed the importance of prosecuting the passenger involved in the assault.
“The woman must be held accountable,” he said. “If we let this slide, it will encourage more people to mistreat our officers.”
Sayidi’s colleagues have also expressed their support for him, acknowledging the difficulty of dealing with such aggressive behavior while trying to do their jobs.
“We meet people with different mentalities on the road,” said Hamzat. “We deal with the good, the bad, and the ugly. But that doesn’t mean we should be treated with violence.”
During the event, the FRSC also addressed the growing issue of violence against officers and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting their staff.
“Officers are human, and we were recruited from the community just like anyone else,” Hamzat said. “But our training makes us resilient. We will not continue to accept abuse from the public.”
He concluded by warning that any future violence against FRSC officers would be met with firm legal action.
“This kind of behavior is unacceptable,” he said. “We will resist it with every means available to us.”
The incident has prompted discussions about the treatment of law enforcement officers in Nigeria and has led to calls for greater respect for those working in public service. Road safety officials are now urging the public to treat officers with more respect and understanding.
“We are here to serve the public and ensure their safety,” Hamzat emphasized. “We cannot allow ourselves to be molested while doing our jobs.”
The FRSC’s quick response to this incident, with swift commendation for Sayidi and a call for accountability, has sent a strong message: violence against public servants will not be tolerated.
As the case continues to unfold, the public remains hopeful that the authorities will take the necessary steps to hold the passenger accountable and send a message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
