The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has intensified nationwide enforcement to rid major highways of dangerous drivers and curb life-threatening practices as millions of Nigerians embark on Christmas holiday and end-of-year journeys.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Corps Marshal, FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, disclosed this on Monday during a strategic monitoring of vehicular movement in Kaduna, as part of the corps’ ongoing Zero Tolerance special operation for the festive season.
Mohammed said the corps had massively deployed officers and logistics to major corridors linking Kaduna, Abuja and Lokoja, following a noticeable increase in traffic in recent days, particularly along the Abuja–Lokoja Road.
“The end-of-year patrol for the Kaduna and Abuja axis has been massively deployed today to the Lokoja–Abuja Road, where we noticed significant traffic movement over the past three days,” he said.
According to him, the monitoring exercise was also extended to the Abuja-Kaduna Road due to ongoing construction works that could worsen congestion if not properly managed.
“We also decided to come to the Abuja–Kaduna Road where construction is ongoing, to ensure free flow of traffic and prevent unnecessary obstruction,” Mohammed added.
The Corps Marshal explained that the special operation was not limited to traffic control but also focused on removing drivers who pose serious risks to other road users.
“The zero tolerance operation is aimed not only at traffic control but also at removing drivers who pose serious risks to other road users.
“We are here to ensure that drivers engaged in speeding, driving under influence, distracted driving and other dangerous behaviours are removed from the road.
“This is to ensure that responsible drivers, passengers, commuters and other road users can move freely,” he stated.
Mohammed disclosed that the monitoring team would return to the Abuja–Lokoja corridor after the Kaduna exercise to sustain enforcement and traffic management.
Commenting on the traffic situation observed so far, the FRSC boss said vehicular movement was still relatively low in the early hours but was expected to increase as the day progressed.
“So far this morning, traffic is low and not as heavy as expected, but we believe that as the hours go by, it will build up. That is why we are here early, to address issues before they escalate,” he said.
Mohammed expressed concern over the widespread practice of overloading, particularly mixed loading involving passengers and goods on trucks, describing it as dangerous and unacceptable.
“We have observed cases of overloading, especially mixed loading, on this route.
“That is why we are ensuring that passengers carried on top of trucks are brought down and made to continue their journey in safer vehicles,” he said.
Nationwide Directive To Sector Commanders
On nationwide enforcement, the Corps Marshal said all sector commanders across the federation had been directed to ensure early deployment to identified traffic hotspots throughout the festive period.
He explained that the directive was meant to ensure the presence of FRSC personnel in areas that usually experience traffic challenges during end-of-year travels.
Mohammed added that reports from the past three days showed that FRSC personnel, including regular and special marshals, were already fully engaged nationwide.
“Our officers, marshals and special marshals are on the roads controlling traffic and supporting road users, and we will continue this operation throughout the festive period and into January,” he said.
The FRSC boss urged motorists to conduct themselves with discipline, patience and respect for other road users, calling for restraint and cooperation during the festive rush.
He warned that the corps would not tolerate intimidation or bullying on the roads, stressing that such drivers would be removed to ensure smooth traffic flow.
“We will not allow bullying or intimidation by any driver.
“Anyone found engaging in such behaviour will be taken off the road to ensure everyone reaches their destination safely and enjoys the festivities as they should,” Mohammed warned.