VIO Officials Have No Power To Arrest For Traffic Offenses Says Udoka

By Henry Ubus

Engr. Udoka Emmanuel Chika-dibie, Executive Assistant on Security, has sparked a significant conversation on the powers of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) through his recent social media post, clarifying the scope of their duties within Nigeria’s traffic law enforcement system.

According to Engr. Udoka, VIO officials do not have the legal authority to arrest motorists for traffic violations such as using a mobile phone while driving or failure to wear a seatbelt. He emphasized that the core mandate of the Vehicle Inspection Office is strictly limited to vehicle inspection and roadworthiness certification.

He stated:

“VIOs are not traffic police. Their job is to inspect vehicles for roadworthiness, not to enforce traffic regulations like phone usage or seatbelt compliance. These are the responsibilities of the Nigeria Police and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).”

The statement has resonated with road users who have often raised concerns about the alleged excesses and harassment by some VIO operatives. Engr. Udoka urged the public to understand their rights and advised VIO officers to operate strictly within the ambit of the law to avoid unnecessary confrontations.

The post has since gone viral, drawing applause from motorists and legal practitioners alike who have described the clarification as “timely and instructive.”

Observers have also called on state governments to retrain VIO personnel to ensure their activities align with statutory responsibilities, stressing the importance of inter-agency collaboration in maintaining road safety and order without infringing on citizens’ rights.