Following the Federal Government’s declaration of Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th, May, 2021 as Eid el Fitr, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said it has begun the deployment of 35,000 personnel and operational equipments for the sallah special patrol.
According to FRSC, the special patrol is aimed at ensuring that motorists and other road users have a hitch free celebration, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and security challenges in the country.
Speaking on the operation, the Corps Public Education Officer, ACM Bisi Kazeem, said the personnel deployed are made up of FRSC regular, special marshals, and Road Safety Club members, while 750 patrol vehicles, 120 ambulances, 25 tow truck and over 200 bikes would be available for the special operation that would commence May 11 to 17.
The Corps Public Education Officer said: “The mission of the special operation is to ensure free flow of traffic, provide prompt rescue services and timely clearance of obstructions on all major roads and critical corridors across the country before, during and after the festive period as well as minimizing the occurrence of road traffic crashes on the nation’s highways through effective patrol operations and sustained public enlightenment campaigns.
“FRSC has a tradition of always organising special patrols during festive periods as a way of averting the chaos that characterise the road during the celebrations, as such, this year’s Eid el Fitr would not be an exemption. Motorists must endeavour to avoid traffic violations and remain conscious of their safety to avoid not only arrest and prosecution by members of the Corps, but falling prey to avoidable road crashes.”
To ensure the effectiveness of the operation, Kazeem revealed that the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has directed commanding officers operating across various formations nationwide to ensure that the 52 corridors are properly manned throughout the period of the operations.
He however appealed to motorists to obey all traffic rules and regulations and cooperate fully with the FRSC and other law enforcement agencies that would be deployed for traffic management duties, saying Mobile Courts would be in session across the country for prompt dispensation of justice to recalcitrant traffic violators.
“The Corps Marshal, also directed that the operatives pay first-rate focus on Effective Traffic Control, Wrongful Overtaking, Use of Phone while Driving, Drivers Licence Violation, Lane Discipline, Removal of Rickety vehicles on the road, Driving with Expired/Worn out tyre and without spare tyre etc.
“To achieve this fit, the Corps has deployed operational equipments in the categories of Radar Guns, Breathalysers to put a check on drunk driving, operational logistics materials are also to be fully deployed for this exercise. Moreso, the Corps Marshal has equally directed that all Zebras must be active 24/7 and be responsive to calls within the minimum FRSC response time to crashes reported,” he stated.
Kazeem noted that, among the 52 corridors to be covered are: Akwanga-Lafiya-Makurdi, Jos-Bauchi-Gombe, 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.
“Special focus will be on checking the following offences; Dangerous driving/overtaking, overloading violation, Use of phone while driving, Excessive speed, Lane indiscipline/Route violation, Passengers’ manifest violation, illegal use of SPY number plate, Latching violation among others.
“In line with the foregoing, the patrol is to run in shifts as follows 0600hrs – 1400hrs, 1400HRS – 2000hrs, 2000hrs – 2200hrs, and Night Rescue teams to be on standby at all operational Commands,” he also said.
Security Watch Africa reports that the exercise will be undertaken in collaboration with Military units, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Security, State owned/NGO’s Ambulance service providers, National Network on Emergency Rescue Services (NNERS) and Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
He further stated that the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi who felicitates with Muslim faithfuls, reechoed his earlier call on them to manifest love, care and continuous obedience to established laws so as to portray the lessons learnt during the Ramadan in positive light.
“He also stated that the National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM will continue to operate 24/7 to give real time traffic update. As such, he called on all travellers to take advantage of the Station and the FRSC Toll Free numbers 122 to report any obstruction, crash or gridlock witnessed on the road for prompt intervention of the nearest Command,” Kazeem said.