The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Biu, has instructed sector commanders to immediately establish a joint task force for conducting specialized patrol operations aimed at apprehending trailers and trucks transporting humans and animals.
This joint task force comprises various entities, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Army, Vehicle Inspection Office, and state governments.
According to FRSC spokesperson Bisi Kazeem, the directive was prompted by a tragic incident on Sunday, where 18 individuals lost their lives in a crash involving 65 people along the Abuja-Kaduna highway at approximately 05:20 am.
The accident occurred at Audu Jhangon village along the expressway, resulting in injuries to at least 27 individuals with varying degrees of severity.
The wounded individuals have been transported to the closest hospital for medical treatment.
Kazeem stated, “The crash occurred when a DAF trailer with registration number KUJ 430XC overloaded with goods and humans lost control and fell into a ditch.
“The latest incident is sequel to an unfortunate auto crash that similarly claimed 18 lives in Niger State.
“Preliminary investigations into the two crashes and others revealed the following: the fatal crashes involved trailers carrying humans and animals, and the vehicles involved embarked on a night journey.”
Biu described the tragic incident as avoidable.
The Corps Marshal decried the nonchalant attitude of the drivers, noting that “the crashes could have been prevented if the drivers had taken adequate caution and obeyed simple traffic rules.”
“The Corps Marshal has directed Sector Commanders to immediately set up the joint task force that will impound and prosecute trailers and trucks carrying humans and animals.
“The Corps Marshal also directed that a mobile court should be set up for immediate prosecution of traffic offenders upon the immediate commencement of this operation.”
