Abuja — Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) yesterday arrested seven youths for engaging in car races close to the National Mosque in Abuja.

Those arrested were IK Ezego (22), Simon Chukwu (26), Ogechi Nwachukwu, Chijioke Nkwocha, Samuel Kume, Adam Ota and Arua Aka.

Our reporter learnt that all those arrested resided at Central Bank Quarters, Garki and used a Toyota Camry with registration number DF 432 and a black Honda with registration number BF 287 KTU for the racing competition.

Commenting on the arrest, FRSC Sector Commander of FCT, Nseobong Akpabio, said the youths normally bring their parent's vehicles to the National Mosque area every Sunday evenings to embark on motor race competitions, while other youths clap for them.

He said the type of vehicles used for the competition shows that those involved are children of the rich.

"The boys even asked FRSC officials whether they knew who they were and kept boasting that they would call their parents to deal with the officers from the highest levels as well as promised to return next weekend to continue their races," the sector commander stated.

He said when the FRSC officials got to the scene to arrest the racers, they found them drinking alcoholic drinks, adding that different brands of un-sipped alcoholic bottles were found in the impounded vehicles.

Akpabio vowed that FRSC will collaborate with other security agencies to checkmate the activities of youths so that they don't send wrong signals to their peers.

"The youths involved in the race have been handed over to the police for investigations and suggested that the names of the vehicle owners be given to Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to check whether they have been paying tax or not," he added.

He advised parents to handle their children properly, saying threats will not deter FRSC officials from carrying out their duties of saving lives.