As Nigerians prepare to mark Eid el Kabir on Friday, June 6, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched a nationwide special patrol operation aimed at preventing road traffic crashes and ensuring seamless movement on major highways throughout the festive period.
The week-long operation, which runs from June 5 to 11, will see a large-scale mobilisation of manpower and logistics — including 36,000 personnel, 750 patrol vehicles, 120 ambulances, 25 tow trucks, and over 200 motorcycles — strategically deployed across 52 critical corridors in the country.
In a statement on Wednesday, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed said, “This is part of our proactive strategy to ensure the free flow of traffic and minimize crashes during the Sallah celebrations. Our objective goes beyond traffic control — it is about saving lives and ensuring that road users reach their destinations safely.”
The Corps Marshal emphasised that all FRSC formations have been directed to activate their Zebra Emergency Response Centres, with personnel expected to maintain a minimum response time for all reported road incidents. He further instructed commanding officers to prioritise real-time traffic control, obstruction removal, rescue services, and enforcement against major infractions such as wrongful overtaking, lane indiscipline, and use of mobile phones while driving.
“We’ll be paying close attention to recurring violations such as expired or worn-out tyres, drivers operating without spare tyres, and the movement of rickety vehicles,” Mohammed added. “Offenders will not only be arrested but prosecuted instantly through our Mobile Courts operating nationwide during this period.”
According to the Corps, other target offences include excessive speeding, overloading, failure to use passengers’ manifest, illegal use of SPY number plates, and latching violations, all of which have been identified as leading causes of road crashes.
“This is not just an enforcement operation — it’s also about education and public safety. We urge motorists to obey all traffic rules, cooperate with road safety officials and other security agencies, and avoid endangering their lives and those of others,” the Corps Marshal appealed.
Key road corridors to be covered include: Abuja-Kaduna-Kano, Sagamu-Mowe-Lagos, Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi, Jos-Bauchi-Gombe, and Okene-Owo-Akure among others. The FRSC will work in collaboration with military units along these routes to provide additional security and ensure the success of the operation.
The Corps has also equipped its operatives with radar guns and breathalysers to monitor speed and check for drunk driving, respectively, while logistics teams will ensure uninterrupted patrol shifts running from morning through late night.
While assuring the public of FRSC’s readiness, the Corps Marshal warned that “safety is a shared responsibility” and reminded all road users that enforcement efforts are backed by law and aimed at safeguarding lives, not punishment.
The FRSC’s Eid el Kabir patrol tradition, now a well-established fixture during national holidays, continues to evolve in scale and effectiveness — this year’s effort, according to observers, is among the most expansive yet.
