The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has stepped up nationwide enforcement activities aimed at curbing traffic violations and eliminating life-threatening practices on major highways as Nigerians travel for the end-of-year festivities.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, disclosed this during a strategic monitoring exercise of vehicular movement in Kaduna, conducted as part of the ongoing Zero Tolerance Special Operation for the festive season.
According to him, the FRSC has massively deployed personnel and logistics to critical corridors linking Kaduna, Abuja and Lokoja in response to the heavy traffic recorded in recent days, particularly along the Abuja–Lokoja Road.
Mohammed explained that the monitoring exercise was extended to the Abuja–Kaduna Road due to ongoing construction works, noting that poor traffic management in the area could further worsen congestion.
“We are here to ensure that drivers engaged in speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, 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 said.
The Corps Marshal added that the monitoring team would return to the Abuja–Lokoja corridor after concluding the Kaduna exercise to sustain enforcement and traffic management efforts.
Expressing concern over observations made during the exercise, Mohammed lamented the widespread cases of overloading, particularly the dangerous practice of mixed loading involving passengers and goods on trucks.
He noted that operatives had recorded several instances of such violations along the monitored routes, stressing that they pose serious risks to road safety.
On nationwide enforcement, the FRSC boss 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 aimed at ensuring constant presence at areas prone to traffic congestion and crashes during the season.
Mohammed urged motorists to exercise discipline, patience and respect for other road users, calling on them to show restraint and uphold responsible driving habits.
He warned that the Corps would not tolerate intimidation or bullying on the roads, emphasizing that such offenders would be promptly removed to guarantee smooth traffic flow and safety for all road users.
Reporting by Kayode Oyedare