FRSC, sister agencies form JTF to arrest truck drivers conveying humans

FRSC, sister agencies form JTF to arrest truck drivers conveying humans

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has inaugurated a Joint Task Force (JTF) with sister dedicated to arrest and prosecute trailer drivers conveying passengers along with goods.

This is contained in a statement by the spokesman for the FRSC, Jonas Agwu.

The move was to curb the menace of road traffic crashes associated with trailers.

According to the statement, the JTF is made up of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, state traffic management agencies and operatives of the Corps, along with representatives from various transport unions.

This came followed a tragic road traffic crash on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway last Monday night, which resulted in the loss of 10 lives.

The accident involving a DAF Trailer was attributed to excessive speed, overloading, and driver fatigue, highlighting the urgent need for stringent enforcement of road safety regulations.

Jonas said the inauguration was done on Saturday at the Kakau Tollgate in Kaduna State, marking the start of the phased deployment along critical expressways.

During the inauguration ceremony, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Dauda Biu, underscored the pivotal role of the JTF in curbing the menace of road traffic crashes associated with trailers.

The corps marshal, represented by Assistant Corps Marshal, Federal Operations, Zubairu Mato, said, “In the last couple of months, the highways have witnessed incidences of road traffic crashes involving trailers loaded with goods, animals, and persons.”

Biu added the initiative was part of a broader effort to ensure the safety of road users and to enforce compliance with traffic laws, particularly those prohibiting the conveyance of passengers in vehicles designed for cargo.

Part of the statement read, “In order to reverse the ugly trend, the JTF were directed to embark on effective special patrol operations as well as conduct Mobile Court operations on the commissioned route. They are to also ensure immediate prosecution of apprehended offenders.

“The exercise will be carried out across major corridors nationwide. Consequently, owners of trailers are admonished to warn their drivers against this traffic violations as the Corps will not spare anyone caught in the act.”