The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) inter-agency Joint Task Force (JTF) has apprehended 362 trailers carrying 5,169 passengers on various highways across the nation.
FRSC spokesman Olusegun Ogungbemide disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja. “The inter-agency JTF successfully arrested, as of today, a total of 362 trailers loaded with 5,169 passengers hanging on top of goods and animals,” said Mr. Ogungbemide.
“As part of the operations, the JTF dropped more than 3,530 passengers who were mandated to take alternative vehicles designed for conveying passengers,” he added.
The joint task force, inaugurated in Kaduna on March 23, comprises the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, state traffic management agencies, and transport unions. Initially, the JTF commenced its operations in Niger, Bauchi, Taraba, and Kaduna, later extending to notorious corridors in Southern Nigeria.
In addition to enforcement, the JTF is actively engaging in sensitization and advocacy campaigns to educate the public on the dangers of using trailers for passenger transport. Despite these efforts, many commuters continue to ignore these warnings, opting to travel in these unsafe conditions.
“The corps has risen to the challenge of confronting bad road use behavior on all fronts in the last couple of months,” Mr. Ogungbemide stated. This initiative has led to high-level partnerships between FRSC leadership, various transport unions, security agencies, and state traffic management agencies to enforce compliance against using trailers as passenger vehicles.
He emphasized the need for a holistic approach to tackle this issue effectively. He also quoted the corps marshal, who called on leaders at all levels to support the FRSC’s efforts in halting these dangerous road traffic violations through further sensitization of their communities.
The initiative’s success has been attributed to the collaborative efforts of all involved agencies, highlighting the importance of joint operations in addressing complex road safety issues. Moving forward, the FRSC plans to intensify its advocacy campaigns and continue its rigorous enforcement measures to ensure safer highways for all Nigerians.
In addition, the FRSC is exploring technological solutions to enhance monitoring and enforcement. The introduction of surveillance drones and automated ticketing systems for traffic violations are among the innovative measures under consideration. These technologies aim to improve the efficiency of the task force and provide real-time data for better decision-making.
The FRSC also plans to engage with community leaders, religious organizations, and local governments to deepen the reach of their sensitization efforts. By fostering a culture of road safety and compliance, the FRSC hopes to significantly reduce the incidence of dangerous practices on Nigerian roads.
