By Nkechi Eze
Pursuant to the objectives set to ensure the safety of lives and properties of all road users during the forthcoming 2025 Eid-el Fitri trips and celebrations, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed it’s entire workforce, including Special Marshals to the highways to ensure hitch free movement as commuters travel from one destination to another across the nation.
In a signed statement, ACM Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Corps Public Relations Officer disclosed that the 2025 Eid-el Fitri Special Patrol which commences from Thursday 27 March to 02 April 2025 targets to achieve the following cardinal objectives; Reduction in Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs), Road Traffic Fatalities (RTF), and Road Traffic Injuries (RTI), Strict enforcement of road traffic laws and regulations, Prompt rescue and response to distress calls, Speedy removal of obstructions from the highways among others, Result oriented public education and enlightenment, as well as Enforcement of critical offences that induce Road Traffic Crashes.
The Corps would achieve these through effective and efficient distribution of logistics and operational materials nationwide. This logistics include the deployment of 157 administrative vehicles, 754 patrol vehicles, 143 ambulances, and 48 tow trucks. This is in addition to deployment of radar guns to check speed violations, setting out 16 traffic control camps on different routes, as well as man 53 critical routes nationwide.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed who authorised the deployment also directed Commanding Officers to ensure 24 hours observatory along high volume traffic/gridlock prone areas, full mobilization of 23 Help Areas, adequate utilisation of 59 Emergency Ambulance (Zebra) Points, full mobilization of Road Side (RTC) Clinics, and 24/7 broadcast on National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM.
The operation which is programmed to run in shifts as follows 0600hrs – 1400hrs, 1400HRS – 2000hrs, 2000hrs – 2200hrs, and Night Rescue teams on standby at all operational Commands is billed to cover the following critical corridors; Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birnin Kebbi corridor, Katsina-Kano-Wudil-Dutse-Azare-Potiskum corridor, Kaduna-Saminaka-Jos corridor, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor, Okene-Ogori-Isua-Owo corridor, Makurdi-Otukpo-Obollo Afor-9th Mile corridor, Asaba-Abraka-Ughelli-Warri corridor, Ibadan-Ogere-Sagamu corridor, Sagamu-Mowe-Lagos corridor, amongst others.
Explaining some of the reasons for the early and holistic approach to safer roads, the Corps Marshal said that the Corps has observed that a key characteristics of the period over the years is an upsurge in traffic volume, excessive speed, Overloading of vehicles with goods, animals and persons, impatience by motorists who may not have adequately planned their journeys, or motorists managing mechanically deficient vehicles to and fro their travel destinations.
According to him, the above mentioned are known to be the major causes of chaos and indiscipline among all classes of road users, leading to crashes, fatalities, loss of properties as well as traffic congestion/gridlocks.
The operation which compliments the ongoing aggressive sensitisation, will cover the broad areas of traffic control/decongestion, Public enlightenment, Enforcement, prompt response to crash victims, route lining among others.
The Corps Marshal emphasised that the enforcement is aimed at checkmating Excessive speed, Overloading, Dangerous Driving/Overtaking, Lane indiscipline/Route violation, Road Obstructions, Use of Phone while Driving, Overloading Violation, Seatbelt/Child restraint Use Violations, Passengers’ Manifest Violations, Mechanically Deficient Vehicles, Latching and Twist-Locks Violations.
In addition to the foregoing, he also directed massive constitution of Mobile Courts across the Nation.
The directive also mandates the Commanding Officers to ensure effective collaboration with Military Units, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Directorate of State Services (DSS), NGO Ambulance Service Providers, National Network on Emergency Road Services (NNERS) and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
The Corps Marshal further stated that the operatives will be charged with the responsibility of identifying alternative routes to assist motorists during gridlocks, and give notification of traffic distressed areas for intervention. As such, he called on the motoring public to download the FRSC Mobile Application for real time reporting and update on traffic situations, utilize all FRSC social media handles (facebook.com//frscnigeria,Instagram.com//frscnigeria, twitter.com//frscnigeria, and in case of emergency, call the 122 toll free number as well as the National Traffic Radio live lines: 08052997848 and 09139600107 which are available means to reach FRSC to report Traffic situations anywhere in the Country.
The public can as well reach the situation room on 07054005754 and 07054005712 respectively.
