Abuja, December 10, 2023: In a bid to curb the rising incidence of road traffic crashes, Corps Marshal Dauda Ali Biu of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a directive for the immediate establishment of a joint task force. This task force, comprising the police, NSCDC, Nigerian Army, VIO, and state governments, will conduct special patrol operations aimed at apprehending trailers and trucks carrying humans and animals.
This move comes in the wake of a tragic accident that occurred at about 05:20 am today along the Abuja-Kaduna road, resulting in the deaths of 18 individuals and leaving 27 others with varying degrees of injuries. The accident involved a DAF trailer, registration number KUJ 430XC, which was overloaded with goods and humans. The trailer lost control, ultimately falling into a ditch at Audu Jhangon village along the expressway.
The injured victims have been promptly transported to the nearest hospital for treatment. This incident follows a similar crash in Niger State that claimed 18 lives.
Expressing dismay at the unfortunate incidents, Corps Marshal Dauda Ali Biu deemed the tragedies avoidable. He specifically criticized the nonchalant attitude of drivers and emphasized that these accidents could have been prevented with proper caution and adherence to traffic rules.
Preliminary investigations into both crashes and others have revealed common factors: trailers carrying humans and animals, and the occurrence of these fatal crashes during night journeys.
To address this alarming trend, the Corps Marshal has instructed Sector Commanders to promptly establish the joint task force. This team will work to impound and prosecute trailers and trucks found carrying humans and animals. Additionally, a mobile court is to be set up for the immediate prosecution of traffic offenders as soon as this operation commences.
