By IBIRONKE ARIYO

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed its entire workforce along with 1,102 patrol vehicles and other logistics to ensure hitch-free movement across highways during the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr celebrations nationwide.

The FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Thursday in Abuja.

According to Mohammed, the deployment, which includes special marshals, aligns with the Corps? commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property during the festive period.

?The 2025 Eid-el-Fitr Special Patrol, scheduled to run from Thursday, March 27, to Wednesday, April 2, aims to achieve key objectives.

?Reduction in road traffic Crashes (RTCs), fatalities, and injuries, strict enforcement of traffic laws and regulations, prompt rescue operations and response to distress calls,

?Others include, swift removal of obstructions from highways, intensified public education and enlightenment, and crackdown on critical traffic violations.?

The Corps Marshal stated that the operation would be executed through the efficient distribution of logistics and operational materials across the country.

He list the deployments to include, 157 administrative vehicles, 754 patrol vehicles, 143 ambulances, 48 tow trucks, Radar guns to check speed violations.

?The others, are, 16 traffic control camps at key locations, and 53 critical routes manned by FRSC personnel.?

He further directed Commanding Officers to maintain 24-hour surveillance along high-traffic corridors and gridlock-prone areas.

Mohammed ordered full mobilisation of 23 Help Areas, adequate utilisation of 59 Emergency Ambulance (Zebra) Points, full mobilisation of Road Side (RTC) Clinics, and 24/7 broadcast on National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM.

?The operation which is programmed to run in shifts as follows 0600hrs ? 1400hrs, 1400hrs ? 2000hrs, 2000hrs ? 2200hrs, and night rescue teams on standby at all operational commands is billed to cover the following critical corridors;

?Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birnin Kebbi corridor, Katsina-Kano-Wudil-Dutse-Azare-Potiskum corridor, Kaduna-Saminaka-Jos corridor, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor, ?Others are Okene-Ogori-Isua-Owo corridor.

?Makurdi-Otukpo-Obollo Afor-9th Mile corridor, Asaba-Abraka-Ughelli-Warri corridor, Ibadan-Ogere-Sagamu corridor, Sagamu-Mowe-Lagos corridor, amongst others,?he said.

Explaining some of the reasons for the early and holistic approach to safer roads, the Corps Marshal said that the Corps had observed that a key characteristics of the period over the years was an upsurge in traffic volume.

Mohammed named other observations as excessive speed, overloading of vehicles with goods, animals and persons, impatience by motorists among motorists and use of mechanically deficient vehicles

These factors, he noted, often lead to road crashes, fatalities, property loss, and severe traffic congestion.

According to him, the above mentioned are known to be the major causes of chaos and indiscipline among all classes of road users, leading to crashes, fatalities, loss of properties as well as traffic congestion/gridlocks.

?The enforcement is aimed at checkmating excessive speed, overloading, dangerous driving/overtaking, lane indiscipline/route violation, road obstructions.

?Other are use of phone while driving, overloading violation, seatbelt/child restraint use violations, passengers? manifest violations, mechanically deficient vehicles, latching and twist-locks violations,?he said.

To counter these challenges, the operation will focus on: Traffic control and decongestion, public awareness campaigns, enforcement of road safety laws, quick response to crash victims and route lining for better traffic flow.

To ensure strict compliance, Mohammed directed the massive deployment of mobile courts across the country.

He also mandated enhanced collaboration with: The Military, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Directorate of State Services (DSS)

Others are, NGO ambulance service providers, the National Network on Emergency Road Services (NNERS), and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

?The joint effort will help identify alternative routes to ease congestion and provide real-time traffic updates,?he said.

He, however, called on the motoring public to download the FRSC Mobile Application for real time reporting and update on traffic situations.

He urged the general public to also utilise all FRSC social media handles (facebook.com//frscnigeria,Instagram.com//frscnigeria, twitter.com//frscnigeria, and in case of emergency.

?The public can also call the 122 toll free number as well as the National Traffic Radio live lines: 08052997848 and 09139600107 which are available means to reach FRSC to report Traffic situations anywhere in the Country.

?The public can as well reach the situation room on 07054005754 and 07054005712 respectively,? he said. (NAN)

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