FRSC collaborates with military, others for 24-hour Easter operations in the North

Ahead of Easter celebration, the Federal Road Safety Corps has announcement the commencement of 24-hour operations in some parts of the northern region.

The Zonal Commanding Officer RS4, Assistant Corps Marshal Kayode Olagunju, said the 24-hour operations and observatory would cover critical corridors in the Zone 4 Command, comprising Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa states.

“There will also be full activation of the ambulance points as well as road side clinics for rescue and emergency management services,” he stated in the statement issued and signed by the Acting Public Education Officer, Route Commander Olusegun Owoeye, in Jos to herald the commencement in the zone of the nationwide ‘Easter Special Patrol Operation’, adding that the ultimate aim was to ensure sanity and prevention of deaths and injuries on the road during the festive period.

He said the FRSC had approved the deployment of 3,077 patrol personnel including regular and special marshals along the routes and setting up of mobile courts to speedily try traffic offenders.

“The zonal commander has directed strict enforcement of traffic laws which include setting up of mobile courts to try erring traffic offenders.

“The command is to promptly remove broken down vehicles and other forms of obstructions on the highways as well as ensure free flow of traffic through strategic traffic control and management.

“They are to also embark on massive education of motorists and other road users during the period slated between 31 March and 7 April 2021,” the statement said.

He called on nurses, marshals and other paramedics deployed in strategic points to attend to road users with care, render necessary assistance and do their work diligently.

Olagunju also disclosed that the corps would collaborate with the military, other sister security agencies, state traffic agencies, fire service and other stakeholders such as the media and NGOs on emergency rescue services to ensure a successful operation.

The FRSC zonal commander called on all road users and transport fleet operators within the zone to abide by traffic rules and regulations as well as the COVID-19 protocol during the Easter festive period or risk arrest and prosecution.

It stated, “The focus of the operation includes tackling speeding and dangerous driving, overtaking violation, lane indiscipline, route violation, road obstructions, use of phone while driving, overloading, seat belt/child restraint use violations, passengers manifest violation, operation of mechanical deficient and rickety vehicles, latching and twist-locks violation, illegal use of the SPY Number Plates, driving under influence of alcohol and other Intoxicants as well as non adherence to the COVID-19 Protocols,” it stated.

The FRSC said all operational vehicles and other logistics would be fully deployed for maximum impact.

“All arrested violators will be arraigned before the magistrates and they stand the risk of fines payment ranging between N2,000 and N50,000 depending on the nature of the offences and/or imprisonment terms ranging between two and six months as may be decided by the mobile courts,” Olagunju was reported to have said.

He urged road users to comply with the traffic laws, warning that some recalcitrant offenders might spend this Easter festive period behind the bars.

The major corridors in the zone to be covered were listed as the Abuja-Keffi, Gwantu-Jos, Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi, Lafia-Shendam-Langtang-Pankshin-Jos, Jos-Bauchi, Saminaka-Jos, Gboko-Katsina-Ala and Gboko-Aliade, among others.