The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Monday launched a special enforcement operation, code-named “Operation Guduma,” to curb mixed loading and other traffic offences along the Kaduna-Abuja Highway.
The exercise was carried out in Kakau area of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking during the operation, Assistant Corps Marshal Abdullahi Hassan said motorists must obey traffic rules and regulations to reduce road crashes and save lives.
Hassan said the special operation was initiated by the FRSC national headquarters to check excesses associated with mixed loading, use of fake number plates and other traffic violations on the highway.
According to him, mixed loading, which involves conveying passengers alongside goods, animals or farm produce in trucks, poses serious danger to road users.
“Mixed loading is a road assault. In the event of a crash, it claims lives and causes serious injuries, including permanent disabilities to passengers on the road,” he said.
He said the operation was aimed at eradicating the practice and promoting safer transportation across the country.
The FRSC official also expressed concern over the increasing use of fake number plates, including fake diplomatic plates.
“People have gone as far as making fake diplomatic number plates and fake Nigerian number plates. That is one of the reasons we are here on this special operation,” he said.
Hassan disclosed that he was deployed from the corps’ national headquarters to monitor and supervise the exercise on behalf of the Corps Marshal.
On measures taken against offenders, he said passengers found travelling on top of trucks were immediately brought down and sensitized on the dangers associated with the practice.
“In the event of a crash, passengers on top of trucks are usually the first to hit the ground, leading to injuries, permanent disabilities or even death,” he explained.
He added that the corps prioritized public enlightenment and education to discourage the practice, while drivers violating traffic regulations would be sanctioned to prevent repeat offences.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the operations will last for a week, several vehicles were impounded during the operation. (NAN)
