By IBIRONKE ARIYO

The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Malam Shehu Mohammed, on Saturday, directed all Commanding Officers across the Federation, to ensure 100 per cent deployment of personnel.

The move also includees the deployment of patrol teams and operational assets, in line with the corps’ operational guidelines of Operation Zero Tolerance Exercise.

Mohammed gave the directive in a statement by the Corps’ Public Education Officer (CPEO), Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM), Olusegun Ogungbemide in Abuja.

He said that the directives was in a bold, strategic move to stem the tide of road crashes and reckless driving during travels in the festive season.

He also said that the directive signals the Corps’ uncompromising determination to dominate the roads, enforce discipline and protect lives, during the peak season.

According to him, this included declaring zero tolerance for negligence, compromise or operational slack.

“Operation zero exercise, which commenced on Dec.15, 2025, and will run until Jan. 15, 2026, is a high impact, intelligence driven nationwide special operation.

“It aimed at delivering round-the-clock patrols, strategic traffic management, rapid emergency response and aggressive enforcement of traffic laws.

“All formations have been mandated to prioritise critical corridors, crash prone locations, gridlock points and major inter-state routes, while ensuring sustained visibility of FRSC personnel as a strong deterrent to traffic violations,” he said.

He urged Commanding Officers to lead from the front, enforce strict discipline among operatives and guarantee optimal utilisation of patrol vehicles, ambulances, speed-limiting devices and other safety equipment.

He stressed that professionalism, integrity and firmness must define every engagement with road users, warning that any form of dereliction of duty or compromise will attract severe sanctions.

He further declared zero tolerance for mixed loading and distracted driving, warning that vehicles conveying passengers alongside goods or animals.

He added that this includes drivers engaging in phone calls or other distractions while driving, warning that they will be decisively sanctioned under the Operation Zero Exercise.

Meanwhile, he implored construction and road maintenance companies currently operating on major highways, to open up carriageways, and clear avoidable bottlenecks around work zones during the festive travel period.

“In addition to enforcement, the operation places strong emphasis on massive public enlightenment and stakeholder engagement, with FRSC personnel directed to intensify safety advocacy at motor parks, markets, religious centres and public gatherings.

“Motorists are being reminded that speeding, drunk driving, dangerous overtaking, overloading and disregard for road signs remain leading causes of fatal crashes and will be met with decisive enforcement actions,” he said.

The Corps Marshal also called for enhanced collaboration with sister security agencies, emergency responders, transport unions and community leaders to ensure seamless traffic control.

He reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to its statutory mandate, and urged road users to take personal responsibility for safety, respect FRSC Operatives and other law enforcement personnel. (NAN)