No fewer than 6,127 road
traffic offenders were arrested in September and 766 drivers convicted by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Edo, Delta and Anambra.
The FRSC Zonal Commander, Mr Nseobong Akpabio, told newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra last Monday that the statistics covered operations in the three states under FRSC Zone 5 for the month of September.
Akpabio gave the statistics after briefing FRSC officers and men while monitoring the ongoing Eid-el-Kabir Special Operations code-named “Operation Push’’ on Benin–Onitsha Expressway.
“Our patrol team covered 63,072 Kilometers collectively by patrol vehicles in Edo, Delta and Anambra on all strategic road crash prone routes to reduce traffic crashes in September.
“Within the same month, 827 road traffic offenders were arraigned before the mobile courts in Edo, Delta and Anambra, 766 drivers were convicted.
According to him, these include commercial, private and government drivers that commit various offences.
He said that 61 drivers were discharged and acquitted.
Akpabio assured that more sustained enforcement would be carried out during the month with particular reference to the ongoing Eid-el-Kabir Special Patrol Operations to further reduce violation of traffic laws.
Akpabio advised motorists and other road users to be conscious of the hazards of the rainy season by being extra cautious while using the roads.
The zonal commander also enjoined officers and men of the FRSC to redouble their efforts in ensuring safer environment during Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and beyond.
He said that regular and special marshals had been strategically deployed to effectively monitor all critical road corridors of the zone.
According to him, such road corridors include Asaba-Benin, Onitsha-Owerri, Benin-Auchi-Okene, Benin-Ore, Benin-Warri, Ontisha-Awka-Enugu to ensure free flow of traffic and arrest traffic offenders.
“The operatives of the corps would focus its searchlights on offences such as over-speeding, dangerous driving, dangerous overtaking, over-loading, use of cell phone while driving, lane discipline among others.
“Any driver caught driving dangerously, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving above speed limit prescribed for a particular road and other offences will be arrested and prosecuted,’’ Akpabio said.
Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (5th right), with his Deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru and other cleagy men at the 54th Independence Day Church Service held at St Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Port Harcourt
