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Tag: FRSC

  • Eid-El-Kabir: FRSC to deploy 33,000 men, 859 patrol vehicles, others

    Eid-El-Kabir: FRSC to deploy 33,000 men, 859 patrol vehicles, others

    •NSCDC moves personnel in Oyo, Osun, Niger
    •TRACE positions officers in Ogun, Lagos/Ibadan road

    CORPS Marshal of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi has approved the deployment of 33,000 personnel – both regular and special marshals, 859 patrol vehicles and others to address wrong road usage by motorists during Eid-El-Kabir.

    For ease of operation and prompt rescue services, 859 patrol vans, 106 ambulances, 267 motorbikes and 22 tow trucks have been deployed to cover critical routes and crash prone areas

    A statement by Corps Public Education Officer Bisi Kazeem said the operation will focus on traffic control, excessive speeding, dangerous driving/overtaking, clearance of road obstructions, seatbelt use violation, zero tolerance for use of phone while driving, lane indiscipline and route violation among others.

    He added that the 2017 Eid-El-Kabir Sallah special patrol operation is scheduled to begin from tomorrow to September 6 and personnel have been briefed appropriately to perform their duties, which include public enlightenment, traffic calming, traffic control, enforcement and rescue services.

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) commands in Oyo, Osun and Niger states have also announced plans to deploy personnel to beef up security during the celebration.

    No fewer than 3,000 personnel will be on duty in Oyo State during the celebration.

    The state NSCDC Commandant, Mr. John Adewoye, spoke in Ibadan during the monthly recap of security situation for the month of August.

    Adewoye said the personnel would be deployed to the praying grounds to patrol all access roads and every part of the state for security coverage before, during, and after the Sallah.

    He implored the public to volunteer information to the corps in their neighborhood or calls these numbers; 09055533301, 09055533303, whenever they suspect any strange movement.

    NSCDC Osun Command said it had deployed 1,000 personnel to strategic places to ensure a hitch-free celebration.

    Mr. Philip Ayodele, the State Commandant of the corps, said this in a statement in Osogbo.

    Ayodele assured residents and visitors coming for the celebration of adequate security and safety, saying security would be provided by the corps, before, during and after the festival.

    The agency said it has deployed 1,550 personnel to provide security during and after the Eid-El Kabir  in Niger State.

    The Corps Commandant Mr. Philip Ayuba, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna, said the officers will take care of the security at the praying grounds in the 25 local government areas.

    The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE)  has also deployed over 350 personnel  to monitor vehicular movements on strategic routes in Ogun and on the Lagos /Ibadan Expressway during the  Eid-el-Kabir.

    The Corps Commander /Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Abdulfatai  Ogunyemi, said this yesterday in Abeokuta.

    He said the deployment of TRACE officials on the roads was necessary to check excesses of motorists during the festival.

    Ogunyemi said the Eid-El-Kabir Special Operation, which began on Monday, would ensure effective traffic management, timely clearance of obstruction, prompt rescue and emergency services along the roads.

  • FRSC defends arrest of alleged child traffickers

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has defended its recent arrest of two suspected child traffickers with 44 minors in Kaduna State after a church faulted the action.

    The United Church of Christ in Nigeria (HEKAN) last Friday said the arrested adults were Sunday School teachers with pupils on the way to a camp programme.

    The church added the children were on their way to attend the HEKAN National Sunday school camp in company with their teachers when they were arrested by the FRSC officials.

    However, the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on phone the travellers were held after the two adults failed to satisfactorily explain their movement.

    “The vehicle was actually meant to carry load but they carried children inside.

    “On interrogation after arresting them for overloading, the two adults there could not explain satisfactorily where they were taking the children to.

    “At that time we didn’t have any choice than to believe they were traffickers and that was why we handed them over for interrogation, simple as ABC.’’

    But Vice President of HEKAN, Rev. Emmanuel Nama, dismissed the FRSC’s story as “false and baseless’’ and demanded public apology from the Corps.

    But Kazeem ruled out any apology, saying the FRSC did not pass judgment on the suspects as insinuated by the church.

    “No apologies at all because the essence of investigation is to find out … and that is why we said ‘suspected traffickers’, we didn’t say they were traffickers.

    “In law, once you accost somebody or someone you say `alleged or suspected’.

    “So, if eventually investigation is done by agencies concerned and they say ‘well, they are so so and so’, then so be it.’’

    According to him, FRSC operatives stopped a J5 bus on the Kaduna-Zaria road for overloading only to discover it was “stacked with 44 minors and two adults suspected to be child traffickers’’.

    He said the two adult occupants told the patrol team that they were going for a church programme “in a location they could not name.’’

    “The Sector commander who got wind of the case as soon as the vehicle was impounded alerted the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State where the vehicle and the occupants were handed over to the Criminal Department for further investigation,’’ he said.

    The church said the children were now at the headquarters of HEKAN on Katsina road for the Annual Sunday school camp.

  • Lagos FRSC commander lauds LCC boss over flow of traffic

    Lagos FRSC commander lauds LCC boss over flow of traffic

    The Managing Director of Lekki Concessions Company, Mr Mohammed Hassan, has been commended for the free flow of traffic on the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Sector Commander, Mr Hyginus Omeje, gave this commendation during his courtesy visit to the company during the week.

    He said the management of the company under Mr Hassan has brought about a significant shift in the gridlock experienced on the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe highway in the past to a smooth flow of vehicular movement on the road.

    He said: “We know what it used to be on this road in the past and what it is today. We commend your efforts for the significant transformation that has taken place on this highway. It is no mean job to see that the gridlock associated with this road had suddenly disappeared”.

    Mr Omeje noted that the disappearance of the gridlock might not be unconnected with the recent engineering work taking place on the highway by dismantling the various roundabouts and re-routing all the road networks.

     “This is a wonderful development that will further accommodate other road users. It is instructive to see lay-by box points, whereby vehicles can easily move in to pick and discharge passengers. These are road components that we have been advocating for,”he said.

    He further said: “It is a good furniture that makes a good road works. I am indeed happy that you have an effective team for the prompt removal of obstructions on the roads. This is an indication that not only did you put in place infrastructure for people to use, but you have also been proactive to prevent eventualities and secondary accidents on the road”.

    He said the essence of the courtesy visit was to fashion out a synergy between the Lagos Federal Road Safety Corps and Lekki Concession Company “in order to complement your efforts at reducing road accidents and traffic on the Eti-Osa- Lekki- Epe Expressway to almost zero level. There is an urgent need for this because when the proposed industrial projects in this area such as the Dangote Refinery and Airport take off, there will be congestions on this road, hence the need for us as the FRSC to reposition ourselves and work with your company for the effective free flow of traffic and prevent accidents on the highway.

    In his response, Mr Hassan attributed the success of the company to the dedication and commitment of the members of staff. “One thing is to have a vision and direction, but another thing is to have a dedicated and committed team to actualize your vision. I think the credit goes to this committed team.

    “The effective management of the various sections, such as 24 hours Patrol Police Team, LASTMA Traffic Management Team, Man O’ War Environmental Team, Free Route and Incidence Assistance Team, have been responsible for the free flow of traffic and security of lives and properties on the Eti-Osa- Lekki- Epe Expressway,” he said.

    Mr Hassan, who appreciated the good intentions of the FRSC Lagos State Sector Commander, promised him the assistance and support of the company.

  • Arrest of traffickers: FRSC lied, says Church

    Arrest of traffickers: FRSC lied, says Church

    The United Church of Christ in Nigeria, (HEKAN)  has described the reported arrest of some child traffickers with 40 suspected trafficked children, by personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), as false.

    The church said the 42 people arrested were 40 of its Sunday School pupils and two of their teachers, who were on their way to attend the National Sunday School Camp at the church’s headquarters in Kaduna.

    FRSC had on Saturday last week, said it arrested a vehicle for overloading and broken windscreen, which was later discovered to be occupied by suspected child traffickers with minors heading to an unknown destination.

    The Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, Bisi Kazeem, in a statement, stated that the vehicle, a silver Ford Galaxy with number  plate LMU76XA, was travelling from Kano to an undisclosed location on Thursday at 11:55 am, when an FRSC patrol team in Kaduna State flagged down the driver, who refused to stop.

    However,  the United Church of Christ in Nigeria, HEKAN in a statement issued in Kaduna on Friday condemned in strong terms, what it termed, the arrest of 40 of its Sunday school pupils and two teachers who were arrested by personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps Kaduna state command while on their way to attend the annual HEKAN National Sunday School Camp at the church Headquarters in Kaduna

    The statement signed by the Vice President of the church, Reverend Emmanuel Nama said the children left their homes with the consent of their parents and their resident Pastors to attend the annual HEKAN Natioanl Sunday school camp.

    According to the church, ‘The 42 persons were arrested along Ali AKilu road in Kaduna at about 4; 30pm Wednesday evening and were also been maltreated by the FRSC personnel.”

    “The FRSC had earlier held a press briefing and snap shots of the children stating that the children were taken for trafficking before handing them over to the Kaduna state Police command without confirming from the church authority despite all explanation by their teachers on their movement”.

    Reverend Nama also said the children are presently at the Headquarters of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria HEKAN Katsina road for the Annual Sunday school camp.

    The church authority however called on the authorities concerned to investigate the matter and also demanded for public apology from the FRSC Kaduna state Command.

    “The church is calling on the general public to disregard the news given by the FRSC Kaduna command which says it arrested a vehicle for overloading along Kaduna-Zaria road, which was later discovered to be occupied by suspected child traffickers with 44 minors.

    “We are stating categorically that, the story painted by FRSC is false and baseless. Those arrested are genuine members of the United church of Christ in Nigeria HEKAN DCC Gubuchi in Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna state”, HEKAN leader said.

  • FRSC arrest suspected traffickers with 44 kids

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kaduna State has arrested suspected traffickers, including 44 minors, on the Kaduna-Zaira road.

    A statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, said a Fiat Bus, popularly known as J5 (XC 532 ZAR), was impounded for overloading, adding that the occupant’s unsatisfactory response raised the suspicion of officials on patrol.

    They claimed to be heading for a church programme at a location they could neither name nor describe.

    The bus driver, Dauda Ezekiel, from Gubuchi in Makarfi Local Government, said he was hired to transport the minors.

    The Sector commander, who got news of the arrest as soon as the vehicle was impounded, alerted the commissioner of Police, after which the vehicle and its occupants were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for investigation.

  • Four in critical condition after a ghastly motor accident

    Four in critical condition after a ghastly motor accident

    Four passengers of commercial tricycles involved in an auto accident that occurred along Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Highway were reported to have been battling for survival at an undisclosed hospital in Umuahia, Abia State capital.

    Our reporter who visited the scene of the accident reports that passengers of the Uyo Based Commercial Bus said to have been heading for Lagos were unhurt. They were said to have been evacuated to the Abia Command Headquarters of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) for safety as at the time of filing the report.

    The accident which occurred directly opposite Ehimiri Police Station, eyewitnesses told The Nation occurred at about 11am.

    According to an eyewitness who gave his name as Clinton, the driver of the commercial bus was said to have dosed off on the steering while he was descending the hill on a high speed.

    Clinton stated that the driver on realizing what has happened ran into the Zone 9 Police headquarters located not too far from the scene of the accident in an apparent move to escape the wrath of angry mob.

    “The driver rammed into the two commercial tricycles as he veered off his lane while descending the hill on a high speed. You know that the road is narrow and before the driver could realize his mistake, the deed was already done.

    “Some of the passengers said that they noticed that the driver on their way would intermittently close his eyes, showing that the driver may not have slept well before embarking on such a journey and from the look of things, it seems like the bus was heading towards Lagos.

    “The victims were badly injured. As you can see, there are traces of blood here which is an indication that they sustained serious injuries. But the second tricycle driver and its passengers sustained minor injuries. Usually, when this type of accident happens the passengers are rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia but I can’t say for sure where they (passengers) were taken for medical treatment.”

    Attempts to speak with the Public Relations Officer of the FRSC, Abia Command  over the matter failed.

    Sympathizers at the scene however blamed the accident to lack of proper monitoring on the part of transport companies who were concerned about making more money than the safety of their passengers as many of the transport owners would subject their drivers to stress and over labor in a bid to outsmart other transport owners.

     

    They called for stiffer penalties on transport companies and their drivers if found culpable of taking driving precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their passengers and other road users.

     

  • ‘5.000 persons in custody over traffic violation’

    ‘5.000 persons in custody over traffic violation’

    The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has arrested 5,000 persons for violation of traffic rules while 2,000 others have been sent to government facilities for psychological evaluation since it began its Cobra Operations nationwide.

    The Corps Marshall, Boboye Oyeyemi, disclosed this on Monday while speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Oyeyemi said five key issues involved in the Cobra Operations were using phone while driving, jumping the traffic lights, route violation, overloading and over speeding.

    He said the major challenge the corps was facing at present was drivers of private vehicles who do not respect traffic rules.

    “You can see the problem that most of the people we are arresting on this violation and being sent to government facilities for psychological evaluation are more of private vehicle owners,” Oyeyemi said.

    He explained that there has been some gradual improvement in enforcement and compliance nationwide.

    According to him, there has been a decline in the number of road crashes involving commercial vehicles since the commencement of the use of speed-limiting device.

    He said: “If you observed of recent, the crashes involving trailers and tankers have dropped.  With that there is a decline in crashes involving commercial vehicles.”

    He said the FRSC has deployed a special squad of 10 bikes and five patrol vehicles to work round the clock in Abuja where violation of traffic rules is highest at present.

    Oyeyemi said the corps was ready for increased traffic during the celebrations of the Eid el Kabir festival coming up early next month and the ember months that precede Christmas and New Year.

    He said: “We are ready for the ember months; that is why had a strategy meeting last Monday to review our strategies and plan for ember months and once we plan for ember, Sallah is already a given.  We did well during the last Salah festival and I think in the next two weeks we are deploying more vehicles to remove broken down vehicles.”

    The corps marshal said though all roads are prone to accidents, there are some where accidents occur more frequently.

    He said: “All roads are prone to crashes but again you pick some like the areas where we are having problems.”

    Oyeyemi announced that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo would be the Special Guest of Honour of the FRSC’s Seventh International Annual Lecture Series.

    He said he was at the Presidential Villa to update the Presidency on the preparations for the lecture.

  • Re: FRSC, please release my driver’s licence

    SIR: Sir, I want to use this opportunity to thank The Nation, for the publication of the above referred letter on Tuesday August 1,; barely two days sending same to the newspaper. As a matter of fact, I was called on by the officers at the Ekiti State office of FRSC, Drivers’ Licence Unit before mid-day of same day the publication came out, to come for re-capturing.

    However, the previous data remained in the system exactly at the point the process got to, before the power supply interruption of February 15. Besides, seven of such cases were resolved (as I was told) alongside mine, that same day, as a result of the publication.

    I hereby thank The Nation and the FRSC officers at both ends, for their prompt actions.

    I also wish to appeal to other print media to which the same letter had been forwarded to, not to go ahead with the publication of same, having being issued my Temporary Driver’s Licence that same day, Tuesday, August,1.

     

    • Babalola Jacob O.

    Ado Ekiti.

  • One killed in Bayelsa tanker explosion

    One killed in Bayelsa tanker explosion

    A petrol tanker has exploded along the Mbiama axis of the East-West Road in Bayelsa, causing an inferno that killed a taxi driver.

    At least five vehicles were burnt in the incident that occurred at about 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

    Investigations revealed that three of the vehicles were damaged beyond recognition while two were burnt partially.

    The Bayelsa State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Ikechukwu Igwe, deployed his officials to ensure free-flow of traffic along the busy road.

    Sources said the driver lost control of the tanker after discharging fuel in one of the filling stations.

    One of the sources said: “The tanker fell shortly after coming out of the filling station. It did not discharge all the products in that filling station. The rest of the product spilled on the road.

    “We later heard a bang and fire followed it immediately. It caused panic in the area but the immediate presence of FRSC officials brought the situation under control. The officials were there till about 11:00 p.m. to control traffic.”

    Igwe, who visited the area on Thursday morning, said only a taxi driver died in the incident and sympathised with persons whose vehicles were burnt.

    He said instead of fleeing the scene after the tanker collapsed, the taxi driver, opened the bonnet of his vehicle and attempted to disconnect his battery.

    He said in the process of trying to remove his vehicle’s battery, a spark occurred and caused the explosion.

    He said: “The driver just discharged fuel at Lionman Filling Station but as he was going out, the tanker fell. The taxi man that died in the incident came out and discovered that there was no road because other drivers abandoned their vehicles and fled the area.

    “The man decided to disconnect his vehicle’s battery and there was a spark because the remaining fuel from the tanker had spilled on the road.  The spark caused the fire that killed the taxi driver and burnt five vehicles.”

     

     

  • Kano FRSC to reintroduce psychological test for traffic offenders

    Kano FRSC to reintroduce psychological test for traffic offenders

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, has expressed determination to reintroduce a psychological test for traffic offenders in the state.

    This is contained in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Alhaji Kabiru Daura and made available to newsmen in Kano on Wednesday.

    The statement said the planed psychological test would be carried out at designated medical facilities with a view to finding out the road users mental ability.

    It said the exercise would commence in earnest and was designed to focus on the pattern of human behavior, identified as life threatening.

    It stated that, by implication, any motorist who committed one or multiple offences would be susceptible to such test.

    The statement noted that, over the years, the FRSC had embarked on several measures of road traffic dysfunctional deterrence, ranging from public education to subtle force, full enforcement as well as introduction of speed limiting device.

    It said the effort was primarily geared towards ensuring safer monitoring environment, affirming that efforts of the corps had yielded positive results.

    It stated that the multiple road challenges led to the institution of the test and urged motorists to be law abiding.

    “The call is necessary to avoid being subjected to the examination process and subsequent withdrawal of driver’s licence when the outcome of the test indicates a negative mental status,” the statement said.