Tag: FRSC

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, on Thursday, September 19, met with stakeholders in transport to develop strategies that will reduce road accident fatalities across the country.

Present at the meeting which was held at the Headquarters of the FRSC in Abuja, had attendance representatives of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Association of Luxury Bus Owners (ALBO), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), among others.

Speaking at the meeting the FRSC Corps Marshal decried the spate of road accident fatality in recent times, which he said had resulted in the tragic loss of at least 91 lives.

Mohammed expressed concern that despite the government’s efforts to provide and maintain transport facilities according to global standards, many drivers continue to undermine these efforts with reckless behaviour on the roads.

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 by exhibiting a high level of recklessness on the roads.

“In the last month or thereabout, the Corps witnessed three landmark crashes that were caused by negligence, fatigue, speeding, night trips and dangerous driving. These crashes include that of Niger State which occurred on September 8 and killed 48 people, that of 12 September 12 which killed 18 people in Sabon Wuse, and that of 15 September 15, which happened in Kaduna State leading to the death of 25 people. These three crashes alone, which proved to have been obviously avoidable, claimed the lives of 91 people. This is alarming and it calls for concern.”

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“I am compelled to state that the spate of the crashes recently recorded is, however, very disturbing. and every step must be taken to avert continued future occurrences. It is against this backdrop that I have directed Commanding Officers to ensure round-the-clock enforcement of traffic offences to mitigate these excesses. A special patrol operation will be instituted and enforcement will be carried out nationwide.”

The President of IPMAN, Abubakar Shettima, dismissed the allegations linking the group to fatal road crashes across the country.

Shetima said: “We transport highly inflammable products through our trucks, and all the allegations being made are unfounded. We collaborate with NARTO and PTD. NARTO represents the truck owners, while the tanker drivers are our drivers. We always come together to make important decisions regarding safety, as it is our top priority, and we take it very seriously.

“Mohammed has been doing his best to reduce road accidents involving trucks. We’ve taken precautions, such as prohibiting our members from driving at night and advising them to rest if they feel sleepy. NARTO has also begun building rest parks for drivers to use when they need to take a break.”

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has arrested 823 drivers, fined 923 impounded 189 vehicles, and confiscated 634 licences and vehicle particulars for traffic lights, zebra crossing, and other violations, within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The arrests were affected during the enforcement of ‘Operation Karara’ which was activated on September 2.

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The spokesman of FRSC, Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide, announced this in a statement on Friday.

Ogungbemide said the operation which was to reduce road traffic light violations within the FCT was expected to realise the mandate through speedy arrest and prosecution of offenders.

He said the drivers were charged with various offenses, including; traffic light violations, dangerous driving, road marking violations, and reckless driving.

“In order to consolidate on the gains recorded in the cause of the patrol operations and further entrench sanity in the use of traffic lights in the FCT, the Corps Marshal appeals to motorists to cooperate with its personnel and obey all traffic rules and regulations,” he said.

•‘It’s unsafe, utterly dangerous’

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Malam Shehu Mohammed, has warned Nigerians against embarking on night trips.

He described such travels as unsafe and utterly dangerous.

The Corps Marshal gave the warning in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO) Mr. Olusegun Ogungbemide, yesterday in Abuja.

Mohammed warned fleet operators, commercial drivers, and patronisers of night trips, including private vehicle owners, to desist henceforth from it.

The FRSC boss, who spoke extensively on why night trips should be avoided, stressed that the warning arose from the dangers, risks, and the rising cases of fatalities occasioned by Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) recorded at night.

He maintained that road crashes that occur at night were more fatal than the ones that happen in the day time.

According to him, night trips pose a significant threat to road users.

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“This is due to reduced visibility, driver fatigue, sleeping on wheels, excessive speeding, and other factors that increase the risk of accidents.

“Avoid night trips at all cost; they are not only unsafe but utterly dangerous.

“This warning has become necessary following some reports of fatal crashes that were recently recorded at night, which have led to the death of several road users and left others with different degrees of injuries,”

The Corps Marshal recalled that on September 8 alone, an avoidable fatal crash occurred in Lapai, Niger State, where four vehicles were caught up in an inferno that led to the death of 37 people on the spot.

According to him, the crash occurred as a result of a combination of factors, namely speed violation and fatigue.

“We are yet to recover from the shock of the Lapai crash.

“Another one occurred on Thursday, September 12, killing 18 people still because of night trips. Intelligence reveals that most fleet operators and other vehicle owners, including private vehicle owners who are addicted to night journeys, do so for selfish economic gains.

“Also, unnecessary overloading of vehicles with animals, passengers and goods to evade arrest by FRSC patrol teams happen.

“Although the FRSC cannot legally ban night trips, we strongly advise those who engage in this practice to reassess their choices and schedule their journeys during the day.

“This is also due to the difficulties in providing prompt help to motorists involved in night time crashes that occur beyond FRSC’s rescue coverage areas,” he said.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched an investigation into a viral video showing a physical altercation between one of its officers and a passenger over the steering wheel of a vehicle.

The FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, confirmed the probe in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Olusegun Ogungbemide, yesterday in Abuja.

The investigation followed the circulation of the video on social media and mainstream media outlets.

NAN also reports that the video had alleged that one of the FRSC officials was involved in a physical altercation with a passenger over the steering wheel while trying to impound the vehicle over a traffic offence.

Mohammed expressed disappointment and concern over the incident, assuring that the Corps would take the allegation seriously and ensure that rules of engagement were upheld.

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He directed the Sector Commander to carry out an extensive investigation and forward the report to the national headquarters within 48 hours.

The Corps Marshal promised to take disciplinary action against the officer if found guilty, reiterating his commitment to excellent service, road safety, and high standards of conduct among personnel.

“The incident occurred on August 23 along the Asaba-Ogwashi-ukwu route, where a Toyota Sienna bus was flagged down for necessary checks.

“The driver was found guilty of driving a commercial vehicle without an installed speed limiting device, necessitating impoundment.

“However, a passenger refused to come down, leading to the altercation.”

The Corps Marshal appealed to the public to report instances of misconduct or unprofessional behaviour by FRSC staff through the FRSC Mobile Application or by calling 122.

The Ogun Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has cautioned motorists against carrying petrol-filled jerrycans in their vehicles to avoid unnecessary disaster.

The Ogun Sector Commander, Mr Fasakin Akinwumi, gave the caution on Monday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ota, Ogun.

Akinwumi said the warning became necessary following the persistent fuel scarcity experienced in the state.

“We are appealing to motorists not to buy petrol and keep in jerrycans inside their vehicles to prevent fire outbreaks that could lead to unnecessary loss of lives and property,” he said.

Read Also: FRSC confirms 16 dead in accident of multiple vehicles

According to the road safety boss, officials of the corps have been deployed and instructed to check, apprehend, and prosecute violators accordingly.

The sector commander also implored motorists to stay in queues, maintaining orderliness in various filling stations to avoid inconveniencing other road users.

(NAN)

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of 16 persons in an accident involving multiple vehicles at the Ojoo-Iwo Road axis of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Tuesday.

The spokesperson, FRSC, Oyo State Sector Command, Mr Mayowa Odewo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan that 17 other people sustained varying degrees of injuries in the accident.

He said two people were injury-free of the 35 people, made up of 14 male adults, 10 female adults, six female children and five male children involved in the accident.

Odewo attributed the cause of the accident, involving four vehicles, to the brake failure of a Mack truck, marked AKM 548 ZY.

Read Also: FRSC confirms death of 11 persons in Kaduna auto crash

According to him, the other vehicles include a Nissan commercial bus, MUB 20 LG; a Nissan Micra taxi, BDJ 520 YC; and a private Honda Accord SUV, KRD 707 ER.

He said the 17 injured victims had been taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention while the corpses were handed over to the police.

“The accidented vehicles have been taken to Irepodun Police Station, along Agbowo-Ojoo Road, by the police.

“Sadly, no victim was saved by seat belts or other defensive gadgets,” he said.

The spokesperson called for more cautious driving and proper vehicle maintenance to prevent loss of lives from avoidable road traffic crashes.

(NAN) 

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kaduna Sector Command, said 11 people lost their lives while four others sustained injuries in a crash in Gwargwaje, Zaria Local Government Area.

The Sector Commander, Kabir Nadabo, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kaduna.

Nadabo said, “A crash involving a truck with registration number BAU 142 XA and a Golf salon with registration number FST 134 FX occurred at Gwargwaje, Zaria in the early hours of Friday, at precisely, 05:50 a.m.

“A team of policemen attached to the Gwargwaje Division conducted the rescue and informed the Unit Commander, RS1.3 Zaria, after they had finished.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the golf, carrying 11 people, all males, had engaged on a route violation, with no headlights and collided with an oncoming MAN truck with four people on board.

“The fatal crash resulted in the instant death of all the 11 people in the golf while the four people in the truck sustained injuries,” he said.

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Nadabo said that after the rescue, a team from FRSC Zaria Unit arrived and conveyed the corpses and the injured to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika.

He recalled that Sector Commander RS1.1 Kaduna had intimated him on the appeal by the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad  Bamalli, to  create an outpost at Gwargwaje to monitor and checkmate the excesses of motorists.

Nadabo said that some motorists had engaged in route violation on the busy highway, when the sector commander paid the emir a courtesy visit in September, 2023

“Gwargwaje has a roadside market with commercial activities. However, the long stretch U-turn makes it difficult for commercial riders to go round, hence they resort to route violation.

“I am passionately appealing for the Corps Marshal’s consideration to establish an Outpost at Gwargwaje.

“This will help stop route violation thereby saving lives and properties of motorists and commuters plying the busy highway,”Nadabo said.

(NAN)

The Federal Government has approved the appointment of eight Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM) for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

It has also asked three DCMs to proceed on immediate retirement.

FRSC spokesperson, Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide, in a statement yesterday, said the directive was issued by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.

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Ogungbemide added that the remaining five DCMs have been directed to fill up existing vacancies in the South South, Southeast, Southwest, North Central, and North West zones.

The statement reads: “The promoted senior officers to proceed on immediate retirement are Deputy Corps Marshal Kingsley Agomoh, Deputy Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu, as well as Deputy Corps Marshal Zubairu Mato.

“The Officers to fill up existing vacancies are Deputy Corps Marshal Clement Oladele (North Central), DCM Chidiebere Nkwonta, (Southeast), DCM Sunday Iyamah (South South), DCM Yerima (North West), and DCM Abiodun Akinlade (Southwest) when DCM Adebisi Kazeem bows out in August.”

The federal government has approved the appointment of eight Deputy Corps Marshals (DCM) for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

It has also asked three DCMs to proceed on immediate retirement.

The spokesperson of the FRSC, Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide, announced this in a statement on Monday, July 22.

He said the directive was issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume.

Ogungbemide said the remaining five DCMs have been directed to fill up existing vacancies in the South-South, South East, South West, North Central, and North West geopolitical zones.

He said: “The promoted senior officers to proceed on immediate retirement are; Deputy Corps Marshal Kingsley Agomoh, Deputy Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu, as well as Deputy Corps Marshal Zubairu Mato.

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“The Officers to fill up existing vacancies are; Deputy Corps Marshal Clement Oladele fdc, to represent the North Central geopolitical zone, DCM Chidiebere Nkwonta, fwc, to represent the South East geopolitical zone while DCM Sunday Iyamah, fwc is appointed to fill up the vacancy in the South-South geopolitical zone.

“Others are DCM MR Yerima, to represent the North West geopolitical zone and DCM Abiodun Akinlade to represent the South West geopolitical zone when DCM Adebisi Kazeem bows out in August.”

The FRSC spokesperson said the SGF said that the appointment of the new DCMs was part of President Bola Tinubu’s drive towards “rewarding excellence, diligence and hard work”, which he said was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.

According to him, the SGF expressed delight over the level of transparency and objectivity that “heralded the whole process and urged the appointed officers to show more commitment and rededicate themselves to achieving the corporate vision of the Corps.”