109 Commuters Killed In One Week, FRSC Launches Special Patrol

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced plans to launch a special patrol team to enforce traffic rules on Nigerian highways.

This came against the backdrop of recent crashes in Niger, Sabon Wuse, and Kaduna states which claimed 109 lives.

The FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed during a stakeholders’ meeting, on Thursday in Abuja, said the corps will intensify its round-the-clock traffic law enforcement to reduce the alarming rate of road crashes in Nigeria.

Muhammed identified negligence, fatigue, speeding, night trips and dangerous driving as reasons for the three fatal road accidents that occurred between September 8 and September 15, 2024.

He said that the spate of the crashes recently recorded was however very disturbing, and every step must be taken to avert continued future occurrences.

The Corps Marshal said that despite measures taken by FRSC through the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS) which was launched in September 2007 to address the chaos associated with fleet operations in the country, it appeared much needed to be done.

He said that it had therefore became necessary to engage the fleet operators on minimum safety standards through training and retraining of drivers.

“It is with a deep sense of concern that I wish to address this gathering of stakeholders and the press today.

“This briefing is expected to address the current road safety challenges such as carrying inflammable substances, night trips, speeding, overloading and loading of passengers and goods.

“Also, it tends to address the devastating effects of such acts on the nation’s highways.

“It is against this backdrop that that I have directed Commanding Officers to ensure round-the-clock enforcement of traffic offences so as to mitigate these excesses.

“A special patrol operation will be instituted and enforcement will be carried out nationwide,” he said.

“While the government continues to do its best to provide and maintain transport facilities in accordance with global best practices, some road users, especially drivers have continued to make a mockery of this concerted effort.

“This has been by exhibiting high level of recklessness on the road.” he said.

THE WHISTLER reports that no fewer than 48 people lost their lives in a petrol tanker explosion that occurred along Bida-Agaie-Lapai- road in Niger on September 8.

Another 21 were killed in another accident involving a truck and a commercial bus in Sabon Wuse area of Katsina state on September 12, while 40 persons also lost their lives on September 15 after a bus carrying Eid-el Maulud celebrants lost control due to speeding and overloading in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna state.