News Investigators/ The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has ordered a nationwide deployment of personnel and logistics for the 2026 Eid-el-Fitri Special Patrol Operations.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Corps Public Education Officer (ACPEO), Mrs Felicia Kalu, on Monday in Abuja.
Mr Mohammed said the operation is scheduled to begin on Tuesday (today) and end March 22.
He said that the directive was part of efforts by the corps to guarantee safe travels for motorists and other road users during the festive period.
He also said the special patrol was in line with the corps’ statutory responsibility of ensuring safer road use across the country.
He further said that the operation was designed to reduce road traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries while ensuring the free flow of traffic on major highways.
“The exercise will feature increased patrol visibility, strategic deployment of rescue teams and intensified public enlightenment campaigns to guide motorists and other road users during the Sallah celebrations,” he said.
The corps marshal noted that the period of Eid-el-Fitri celebrations was traditionally characterised by heavy vehicular movement across the country as Muslim faithful travel to celebrate with family members and loved ones.
He said the corps had therefore mobilised its operational assets to effectively manage the expected surge in traffic and prevent avoidable road crashes.
Mr Mohammed identified common causes of crashes during festive periods to include speeding, dangerous driving, overloading, use of mobile phones while driving, route violations and other traffic infractions.
He said the corps would maintain 24-hour patrol operations along critical road corridors nationwide.
According to him, the operation will be supported by standby rescue teams, operational ambulances, tow trucks, patrol vehicles and motorbikes to ensure prompt responses to emergencies.
”The operation will also involve the immediate removal of obstructions from highways and close monitoring of traffic situations to minimise delays for road users.”
The FRSC boss added that the special operation would prioritise enforcement against major traffic violations including speeding, dangerous overtaking, tyre violations, and lane indiscipline.
Others he said were road obstruction, overloading, mix-loading of passengers and goods, seat-belt violation and the operation of mechanically deficient vehicles.
He however said that the strict enforcement would be complemented with robust public enlightenment activities to encourage voluntary compliance with traffic rules.
Mr Mohammed also directed commanding officers across various sectors to ensure full deployment of operational equipment as part of the operational strategy
These include patrol vehicles, advanced life support ambulances, tow trucks, radar guns, breathalysers, traffic cones, patrol bikes and communication gadgets.
He encouraged special marshals to participate actively in traffic control operations across commands during the period.
He stressed that the corps would sustain effective collaboration with other security and emergency response agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Fire Service (FFS), and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency.
He said this would ensure quick responses to emergencies and help maintain order on the highways.
He further said that the corps would utilise its national traffic radio 107.1FM to provide real-time traffic updates, travel advisories and alternative route guidance for motorists throughout the period of the operation.
He charged members of the public to report crashes, traffic obstructions or emergencies through the FRSC emergency toll-free number 122 or 0700-call-FRSC.
Mr Mohammed urged motorists to cooperate with FRSC personnel and other law enforcement agencies by obeying traffic rules.
He wished the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyful Eid-el-Fitri celebration, while reiterating the corps’ commitment to its mandate of creating a safer motoring environment for all road users across the country.
NAN