The FCT police command has warned motorists and other road users against the dangerous practice of driving against traffic, popularly known as one-way driving, stressing that offenders will be arrested or prosecuted.
In a statement on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said some motorists continually disregard traffic regulations by deliberately driving against traffic, ignoring road signs and bypassing diversions in an attempt to evade traffic congestion.
The command also warned against contacting senior police officers, government officials or other influential personalities to facilitate the release of motorists apprehended for traffic violations.
“No individual, regardless of status, position or connections, will be exempted from the consequences of violating traffic regulations,” the command said.
To enforce the warning, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, has ordered the command’s Motor Traffic Department (MOTOPOL) and all Divisional Traffic Officers (DTOs) to work closely with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant traffic management agencies to ensure the arrest and immediate prosecution of any motorist found driving against traffic or disobeying traffic laws.
He also warned enforcement officers against exploiting the exercise to extort road users, adding that such actions would be dealt with in accordance with police regulations.
He urged motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic signs and follow instructions from traffic officers.
The commissioner also urged residents to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency numbers: 08032003913 and 08061581938.