In a new initiative to enhance road safety and emergency response, the Federal Government is advancing plans to equip the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) with helicopters and drones, aimed at improving the swift evacuation of accident victims across Nigeria.
The move, which involves a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, was announced during the FRSC Management Retreat and press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday. Deputy Corps Marshal Clement Oladele, who heads the Corps Policy, Research, and Statistics Department, detailed the steps being taken to acquire helicopters through collaboration with private sector partners.
Oladele highlighted ongoing discussions with private stakeholders, who are interested in supporting the FRSC’s mission with both helicopters and air ambulances. These air ambulances would be strategically stationed near trauma centers along accident-prone highways, enabling faster medical response for crash victims.
“Thanks to recent engagements led by the new Corps Marshal, we have identified private individuals interested in partnering with us on this project,” Oladele shared. “Initially, we expected delays in securing helicopters, but with current discussions, it seems they may arrive sooner than anticipated.”
Beyond the helicopters, the Corps is also planning to deploy air ambulances and integrate drone technology. According to Oladele, these drones will be a vital part of the FRSC’s emergency response strategy, providing aerial support for monitoring road conditions and advancing the Corps’ mission to protect lives on Nigeria’s highways.
“This technology will help us establish drones at key locations within the coordinates of trauma centers near frequent accident sites. Our aim is to create an efficient system that quickly evacuates crash victims,” Oladele concluded.
