The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other security agencies, has launched a sustained enforcement operation targeting motorists who violate traffic lights, drive against traffic and commit other road offences across Abuja.
Key Highlights
- FCTA and FRSC have launched a sustained traffic enforcement operation across Abuja.
- Motorists caught beating traffic lights, driving against traffic or violating road regulations could face arrest and prosecution.
- The special task force will also target illegal parking, road obstruction, route violations and excessive overloading.
- Motorists parking at junctions, under bridges and on pedestrian crossings will also be sanctioned.
- The operation involves the FCTA Security Department, Traffic Control Department, FRSC and other security agencies.
The Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Transportation Secretariat, Mr Chinedum Elechi, announced the enforcement during a joint intervention press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
He said a special task force would begin patrols across the Federal Capital Territory, with motorists caught violating traffic regulations liable to arrest and prosecution.
According to Elechi, the decision followed growing concerns over motorists’ disregard for traffic regulations, particularly following the expansion of the FCT road network under the administration’s ongoing urban renewal programme.
He said the expansion of roads had improved connectivity and movement across the capital but had also created new challenges for traffic management.
“We are extremely happy to have this special collaboration with the Sector Command of the FCT. I think this is the first time that we’re having this kind of collaboration,” Elechi said.
He added that the collaboration involving the FCT Security Department, Traffic Control Department, FRSC and other relevant agencies would strengthen traffic enforcement and improve road safety in the capital.
Offences targeted by enforcement team
Elechi said the operation would focus on a range of offences considered dangerous to motorists, pedestrians and other road users.
These include running traffic lights, ignoring traffic control devices, using unauthorised routes, driving against traffic, illegal parking and obstruction of major roads.
The enforcement team will also target motorists who park at junctions, under bridges and on pedestrian crossings, as well as commercial transport operators who use restricted routes.
Elechi urged motorists to obey traffic signs and signals, use approved routes and park only at designated locations.
He warned that the enforcement would be sustained and that offenders would face sanctions under applicable national and FCT traffic laws.
“Offenders will have to face the full weight of the law when they involve in the dangerous exercise of driving against traffic or breaking traffic lights,” he said.
The official added that, where applicable, offenders could also be subjected to medical and psychological assessments in accordance with the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012 and relevant FCT regulations.
He stressed that the operation was not designed to inconvenience responsible motorists but to improve traffic flow, reduce road crashes and protect lives and property.
FRSC raises concern over dangerous driving
The FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Tijjani Iliyasu, said the agency was particularly concerned about the increasing incidence of excessive overloading, traffic light violations, route violations, driving against traffic and indiscriminate parking.
According to him, such offences contribute to congestion, restrict the movement of vehicles and increase the risks faced by motorists, passengers and pedestrians.
Iliyasu said effective traffic management would require a combination of enforcement, public education and cooperation between government agencies and road users.
He disclosed that motorists apprehended for applicable offences, particularly excessive overloading, traffic light violations and route violations, would be required to undergo prescribed medical and psychological evaluations before prosecution.
The FRSC commander cited Regulation 176, Sub-regulation 5 of the amended National Road Traffic Regulation 2012, which he said requires persons suspected of certain traffic offences to undergo medical and psychological assessment at an approved government hospital before prosecution.
He explained that the assessment would be conducted at the offender’s expense.
According to Iliyasu, the measure is intended to address dangerous driving behaviour and encourage greater responsibility among road users rather than intimidate members of the public.
Motorists urged to obey traffic rules.
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The FRSC commander called on motorists to respect traffic lights, road signs and road markings and avoid driving against traffic or using routes that have been restricted by the authorities.
He also warned drivers against overloading their vehicles and indiscriminate parking, urging them to use designated motor parks, bus stops and approved loading and dropping points.
Iliyasu further appealed to motorists to cooperate with accredited traffic management officers and exercise patience, discipline and courtesy, especially during periods of heavy traffic.
“Always remember that time saved by risking a life is not worth it,” he cautioned.
He assured residents that the FRSC FCT Sector Command would continue working with other agencies through enforcement, public enlightenment, stakeholder engagement and engineering measures to improve road safety and traffic management.
“Our message is simple: obey traffic regulations, respect other road users, and make safety a personal responsibility,” Iliyasu said.
The joint enforcement operation is expected to continue at strategic locations across the Federal Capital Territory as authorities intensify efforts to curb traffic violations, improve vehicular movement and make Abuja’s roads safer for all users.
