The training was held at the NURTW Hall along Bye-Pass Road in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, with officers, traditional leaders, and representatives of other security agencies in attendance.
Speaking at the event, the FRSC Sector Commander in Zamfara, Aliyu Ma’aji, said the training was organized to educate ZAROTA personnel on the rules and regulations guiding road traffic management in Nigeria.
According to him, the goal is to ensure that ZAROTA officers carry out their duties professionally, without stepping on the rights of road users.
He stressed that no ZAROTA officer is permitted to intimidate, embarrass, or tarnish the image of any citizen while on duty.
“Your job is to manage traffic and ensure order on our roads, not to harass the people you are meant to serve,” Ma’aji told the officers. “The public must see you as protectors, not oppressors.”
The Sector Commander commended the Commandant of ZAROTA, Muhammad Bello Musa, for his efforts to reposition the agency and promote discipline among its personnel. He said collaboration between FRSC and ZAROTA will help reduce accidents and improve compliance with traffic laws in Zamfara.
In his remarks, the ZAROTA Commandant, Muhammad Bello Musa, acknowledged some of the challenges facing the agency, including public complaints and pending legal cases.
He revealed that ZAROTA currently has 48 cases in court. He also said he has received several calls from members of the public alleging that some officers embarrassed them during enforcement operations.
“That is not proper,” he said. “We must correct this. Our duty is to bring order, not to create fear.”
Musa thanked the FRSC for organizing the training and urged all ZAROTA officers to take what they learned seriously and apply it in the field.
He also appreciated the continued support of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Department of State Services, DSS, noting that their cooperation has helped ZAROTA in carrying out its mandate.
The Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim Bello, was represented at the event by the District Head of Tsafe, Alhaji Nuraddeen Kabir Dan Baba. The Emir expressed satisfaction with the training and described it as timely.
He commended the FRSC for taking the lead in building the capacity of ZAROTA officers and urged the trainees to be good ambassadors of the agency.
Representatives of the Police, NSCDC, and DSS who were also present delivered separate goodwill messages. They all commended the FRSC for the initiative and assured ZAROTA of continued support and cooperation in the area of traffic management and public safety.
The security agencies noted that a well-trained and disciplined traffic agency will reduce road crashes, ease congestion, and improve the relationship between enforcement officers and the public.
Road traffic management in Zamfara has become more demanding in recent years due to increased vehicular movement and commercial activities in Gusau and other major towns.
With more agencies now involved in traffic control, the FRSC said it is important that all personnel understand the limits of their powers and operate within the law.
Officers were taken through sessions on traffic rules, public relations, conflict resolution, and the proper way to conduct stops and arrests without violating citizens’ rights.
The FRSC emphasized that building public trust is key to effective traffic enforcement. It warned that any officer found harassing motorists or pedestrians will face disciplinary action.
At the end of the training, both FRSC and ZAROTA leadership expressed optimism that the exercise will lead to better service delivery and a reduction in complaints from the public.
They called on residents to also obey traffic laws, saying road safety is a shared responsibility between government agencies and the people.
