The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched a nationwide special patrol, deploying 36,000 personnel to ensure safe travel during the Eid-el-Kabir festivities starting June 6, 2025, officials announced.
The operation, running from June 5 to June 11, involves 750 patrol vehicles, 120 ambulances, 25 tow trucks, and 200 motorbikes to manage traffic and reduce accidents on major highways like Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Lagos-Ibadan. Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed stressed the need for enhanced visibility and swift response to crashes, citing past successes in reducing road fatalities.
FRSC’s collaboration with the Nigeria Police, military, and Civil Defence includes mobile courts to prosecute violations like speeding, overloading, and phone use while driving. The corps’ 2023 Eid patrol saw a 25% drop in crashes and 53% fewer fatalities, a benchmark Mohammed aims to surpass.
Public reactions are mixed, with commuters like Lagos driver Adebayo Musa welcoming the patrols but urging focus on poorly maintained roads. Transport unions have called for stricter enforcement against unroadworthy vehicles, blaming them for frequent accidents during festive periods.
The FRSC urges motorists to obey traffic rules and report issues via the toll-free line 122 or National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM. As Nigeria braces for heavy holiday travel, the operation seeks to balance celebration with safety amid rising road risks.
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