Tag: FRSC

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has announced that the corps has developed a multisectoral approach to curb the recurring incidents of tanker crashes, explosions, and the resulting fatalities. 

Mohammed made this known on Monday, January 27, during a press briefing on the “End of the Year Operation Zero Tolerance Special Patrol, 2024” at the FRSC Headquarters in Abuja. 

He emphasized that a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders is underway to tackle the root causes of tanker accidents and explore preventive measures to avert future tragedies. 

While noting a reduction in the overall number of road traffic crashes (RTCs), Mohammed highlighted that fatalities have increased due to secondary factors, particularly fuel scooping by individuals at crash sites. 

The Nation recalls that hundreds of people have lost their lives in recent incidents while attempting to collect petroleum products from crashed tankers.

Notably, over 75 people died in a tanker explosion in Niger State on January 18, while more than 200 lives were lost in a similar incident in Jigawa State in October 2024.

The Corps Marshal said: “The issue of fuel tanker crash is not something within the absolute control of the FRSC. It is a multifaceted, multi-sector solution that we can adopt to get it done.

“If you look at the causes, we have the driver, vehicles, owners of the vehicles, mechanical issues, the nature of the tank …pre-safety loading and post-safety loading. So it’s something that FRC alone cannot find a solution to. And that is why we are having a stakeholder meeting this week, with all the transport unions and government agencies that have to do with safety, to develop a holistic solution, a multi-sector solution to tackle tanker crashes. And this time around, we were sure we were going to make an impact and then change the narrative.

“And on the scooping of fuel, we are going to engage in more orientation and sensitization of people. We are going to involve community leaders and other relevant organizations.”

Giving the result of the 2024 Operation Zero Tolerance Special Patrol, which was conducted from December 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025, the FRSC boss said the corps recorded a total of 531 crashes, 169 fatalities, 287 serious injuries, and 75 minor injuries.

He said: “There were also five landmark crashes that defined the outcome of the number of road traffic crashes, fatalities, as well as injuries recorded. These were: Jing, Shendam in Plateau State on 20 December 2024 killed 11 people, Bende-Ohafia route in Abia State on 22 December 2024 killed 11 people, that of 25 December 2024 on the Kaduna-Abuja expressway that killed 8 passengers and that of Jebba, Kwara State on Thursday 26 December 2024 which claimed 30 lives as well as that of Owo-Ikare route before Ose bridge on 28 December 2024 that led to the death of 13 passengers.

“In the comparative analysis of the data obtained between 15 December 2024 to 15 January 2025, as compared with the same period last year. The Corps recorded a total of 531 road traffic crashes nationwide as against 634 recorded in the same period in 2023. This represents a 16.2% reduction. More so, a total of 2,129 people were rescued without injuries, representing an 8.2% decrease when compared to the 2,319 rescued in the same period in 2023.

“Meanwhile, the Corps recorded an increase in the total number of people involved, killed as well as injured. Our data showed that within the period under review, 4,586 people were involved in RTC representing a 3.1% increase by comparison with the data of the same period in 2023 which had 4,446 people involved. In addition, 402 people were killed in the 2024 exercise. This is against 335 recorded in 2023 signifying a 20% increase. Incidentally, within the period under review, 2,055 people were injured in both 2023 and 2024.”

Giving an analysis of the Corps annual performance, the Corps Marshal said the Corps recorded a reduction in RTCs and injuries in 2024 compared to 2023.

He said: “From January 1 to December 31, 2024, a total of 9,570 road traffic crashes were recorded nationwide. This figure is against 10,617 road traffic crashes recorded in 2023 which signifies a tremendous reduction of 10%. Furthermore, 31,154 people were injured in 2024 while 31,874 were injured in 2023 representing a 2% decrease.

Read Also: Man jailed six months for instigating mob against FRSC officers

“However, the Corps recorded a 7% increase in fatalities as 5,421 people were killed in 2024 while 5,081 people were killed in 2023. Meanwhile, a total of 70,530 people got involved in road traffic crashes in 2024 compared to 70,092 in 2023 signifying an increase of 1%. 

“It is pertinent to emphasize at this juncture that, out of the total fatalities that occurred in 2024, 411 deaths, representing 7.6% of the total deaths were not primarily caused by the crashes, but a secondary factor which is the very monster we are fighting today: scooping of fuel from fallen tankers.

“This therefore implies that without the casualties recorded from scooping fuel from crashed tankers, the Corps would have recorded 5,010 deaths in 2024, against 5,081 in 2023 signifying a 1.4% reduction in the total number of people killed.”  

A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State, has sentenced Nuhu Isah to six months’ imprisonment for intimidating and instigating mob action against the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) patrol team.

The court also offered the defendant the option to pay a fine of N20,000 in lieu of serving the jail term.

A statement from the FRSC spokesman, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Wednesday, 8 January, stated that Chief Magistrate Mohammed Njidda handed down the sentence on Tuesday, 7 January.

Read Also: FRSC seeks traditional rulers’ support to reduce road crashes

The statement said: “The defendant, a passer-by, had on 5 January 2025, while recording the FRSC patrol team, intimidated and further instigated passengers to mob the FRSC team, who were carrying out their lawful duties, as a consequence of which he was apprehended and taken to court.”

According to the statement, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, emphasised the need for road users to contribute their quota towards improving safety on the highway, rather than engaging in acts detrimental to safer road use.

“The Corps Marshal also emphasised the unwavering commitment of the FRSC to creating safety on all Nigerian roads and reiterated that FRSC staff cannot be deterred by threats from miscreants,” the statement said. 

No fewer than 222 persons have lost their lives while 779 were injured in 304 recorded road crashes in Oyo State within 12 months.

The incidents, according to the Sector Commander, Mrs Rosemary Alo were recorded across the 33 local government areas of the state.

However, Alo said the reported numbers is a decline when compared with the reported cases in 2023.

Giving a comparative analysis, 304 crashes were recorded in 2024 as against 495 recorded in 2023. 

She said, “779 injured as against 1,321 previous year, 222 died as against 270. About 1,795 involved as against 2,935 while 412 vehicles involved as against 794 as at Friday, 27th December, 2024.”

While acknowledging the efforts of the Command which had resulted in the reduction of the rate of accident on the road, the Sector Commander stressed the need for strict compliance with traffic rules.

Read Also: FRSC seeks traditional rulers’ support to reduce road crashes

She noted that despite the intensify of efforts in sensitizing people on dangers of dangerous driving, the Command is still craving and appealing to motorists and other road users to imbibe safety as a culture on the road.

“In as much we continue to sensitize the public on the danger of reckless driving, over speeding and driving with worn out tyres.

“These are the critical offences that we have noted contribute greatly to the crashes. In as much we intensify our efforts in sensitizing people on this dangers, we are craving or appealing to motorists and other road users to imbibe road culture.

“The positive attitude of the motorists and other road users will to a great extent reduce road crashes.

“At a time like this, you will find out that everybody’s in a haste to get to their various destination but this has been responsible for the various accidents that were recorded on our roads.

“If the motorists and the entire public imbibe the road culture, the present rate of crashes will be crashed further hence we are appealing to them to ensure that they adhere strictly to the various traffic rules”, she added.

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has sought collaboration with traditional institutions to reduce road crashes nationwide.

Mohammed underscored the significance of traditional leaders in promoting road safety awareness and encouraging compliance with traffic regulations within their communities.

He stated that the influence and authority wielded by traditional leaders could be instrumental in shaping the attitudes and behaviours of community members toward road safety.

The Corps Marshal said this during his visit to the Olowo of Owo, Oba (Dr) Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, in Ondo State.

The Corps Marshal’s visit was part of his end-of-the-year traffic monitoring on the nation’s highways.

He mentioned that Olowo has a role to play in reducing road crashes due to the strategic positioning of Owo town as a critical corridor that links the South West to the South South and North Central geopolitical zones.

According to a statement by the FRSC spokesman, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, by engaging traditional institutions, the FRSC aimed to leverage the respect and trust traditional leaders’ command to disseminate information about safe road practices, the dangers of speeding, and the necessity of vehicle maintenance.

Read Also: Traffic violation: FRSC activates mobile court nationwide 

The statement said: “This strategic partnership is part of a broader initiative by the FRSC to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities. By involving traditional rulers, the Corps seeks to create a more inclusive approach to road safety, recognising that community-driven efforts can significantly complement governmental policies and enforcement measures.

“In addition to collaborating with traditional leaders, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed also called for the active participation of commuters and transport unions in preventing road crashes. He emphasised that passengers should speak out against reckless driving and that transport union must lead by example in preventing overloading and alcohol/drug-impaired driving.”

The statement indicated that the FRSC would continue to engage in public enlightenment campaigns, conduct research on road safety, and implement measures to create a safer motoring environment in the country.    

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has instructed Commanding Officers to prioritise mobile court operations during the end-of-year enforcement period. 

The strategic move aims to enhance the effectiveness of the FRSC’s efforts to ensure road safety and crashes during the yuletide season and beyond.

The spokesman of the FRSC Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide said this in a statement on Wednesday, December 18.

According to Ogungbemide, the directive to utilize mobile court operations has become crucial due to its effectiveness in promptly prosecuting traffic offenders. 

He said this swift prosecution serves as a strong deterrent to potential violators, emphasizing the importance of adhering to traffic laws.

The FRSC spokesman said that by leveraging mobile court operations, authorities can efficiently address traffic violations, reducing the likelihood of future offenses. 

He noted that the proactive approach not only promotes road safety but also fosters a culture of accountability among drivers.

Read Also: Asaba/Onitsha bridge: FRSC, police dismantle checkpoints to improve traffic flow

He said: “To achieve maximum impact, Commanding Officers are expected to take responsibility for implementing mobile court operations effectively by working closely with relevant stakeholders, especially the judiciary, to ensure seamless prosecution of traffic rules violators.

“As a prelude to the operations, the Corps Marshal also ordered them to ensure robust engagement and public enlightenment campaigns to educate road users about the importance of adhering to traffic laws.

“The Corps Marshal therefore called on drivers and vehicle owners to put their vehicles in good shape, ensure that their vehicle and drivers licenses are up to date.

“He emphasised on the imperatives of observing established traffic rules and regulations on all roads to avoid prosecution as no driver will be spared if arrested going against the law.” 

• By Rofiat Aderounmu

The Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has reiterated the dangers of drunk driving at the launch of the Annual “Don’t Drink & Drive” Campaign.

Speaking at the press conference, Chairman, BSG and CEO Nigerian Breweries, Hans Essadi, commended FRSC for its dedication to road safety and pledged continued support for initiatives that reduce traffic accidents.

Read Also: Yuletide: FRSC deploys 42,000 personnel, 754 patrol vehicles to prevent crashes, gridlock

He said: “Each year, countless lives are lost to preventable accidents caused by impaired driving. This campaign is built on three pillars: education, enforcement, and encouraging responsible behavior by all road users.”

FRSC Lagos Sector Commander Kehinde Hamzat emphasized the importance of defensive driving and passengers’ rights to challenge reckless drivers.

He also highlighted FRSC’s new app, which alerts users to speed limits, dangerous roads, and potholes.

The press briefing attracted a diverse group of stakeholders, including executives from BSG, senior FRSC officials, and road safety advocates.

• By Rofiat Aderounmu

The Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has reiterated the dangers of drunk driving at the launch of the Annual “Don’t Drink & Drive” Campaign.

Speaking at the press conference, Chairman, BSG and CEO Nigerian Breweries, Hans Essadi, commended FRSC for its dedication to road safety and pledged continued support for initiatives that reduce traffic accidents.

Read Also: First Lady’s empowerment programme provides for the elderly

He said: “Each year, countless lives are lost to preventable accidents caused by impaired driving. This campaign is built on three pillars: education, enforcement, and encouraging responsible behavior by all road users.”

FRSC Lagos Sector Commander Kehinde Hamzat emphasized the importance of defensive driving and passengers’ rights to challenge reckless drivers.

He also highlighted FRSC’s new app, which alerts users to speed limits, dangerous roads, and potholes.

The press briefing attracted a diverse group of stakeholders, including executives from BSG, senior FRSC officials, and road safety advocates.