The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has mobilised 925 personnel, 25 patrol vehicles, four ambulances and towing trucks on highways for an accident free Sallah celebration in Kogi.
The preparations for the Muslim festival comes as the corps confirmed the death of two persons after a MAN Diesel truck crushed a tricycle in a headon collision in Kogi.
Corps Commander Stephen Dawulung, Kogi FRSC Sector Commander, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Koton Karfe.
He said that the incident occured at Magajia village along Abuja-Lokoja highway at about 1.48 p.m on Sunday.
Dawulung said that the crash occured when the tricycle, conveying two persons, drove against traffic and collided with an oncoming truck resulting to the death of the two occupants of the tricycle.
The commander said: “Aside the violation of route exhibited by the tricyclist, both the tricycle and truck were also on speed, which made the accident unavoidable.”
“Luckily, our personnel, who arrived the scene within 10 minutes of the unfortunate incident, carried out recovery and rescue operations as well as traffic control to ensure free flow of traffic,” he said.
The sector commander disclosed that relatives of the deceased have already taken the corpses away for burial as they refused them (corpses) being taken to the mortuary.
He, however, charged motorists to adhere strictly to speed limits and other regulations to enhance their safety and avoid lives wastage on the highways.
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While commiserating with families of the victims, Dawulung reiterated the need for ticycle operators to desist from plying the express and highways in violation of the National Road Traffic Regulations.
Meanwhile, in another statement Dawulung, the Kogi FRSC Sector Commander, said the Special Patrol for Sallah became imperative due to the recklessness of some motorists during festivities like Sallah.
Dawulung said that the officials deployed comprised well trained Regular and Special Marshals that were equipped with breathalysers and other surveillance equipment to keep watch over traffic on the highways.
“This deployment is in line with the mandate to ensure free and safe vehicular movements within and across the state during the Sallah holiday.
“FRSC Kogi Sector Command is set to commence the six-day 2023 Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah) Special Patrol Operation in earnest from June 26 to July 1.
“Preparatory to this, the Command has deployed 925 men, 25 patrol vehicles, 4 ambulances and tow trucks to critical road corridors within Kogi.
“The objectives of this Special Patrol is to ensure drastic reduction of road traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries, and prompt rescue of crash victims,” he said.
The sector commander disclosed some strategies to be deployed to achieve the desired objectives of the special patrol to include robust public enlightenment, enforcement against critical offences, clearance of obstructions and traffic control.
He, however, affirmed the readiness, capabilities and commitment of his men in resolving all vehicular traffic encumberances within the state towards ensuring that motorists enjoy free and safe travels within and across the state.
Dawulung advised motorists to always adhere to road traffic regulations, exhibit highest level of caution and discipline, and avoid any unwholesome practices such as speeding and overloading.
He frowned at motorists’ deliberate use of worn out tyres and night journeys that may jeopardise their safety.
While wishing travellers fruitful Eid-el-Kabir celebration, he reminded that safety was key as only the living celebrate.
▪︎ By NAN.