By Olawumi Oyehan
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and key security agencies, on Thursday, commenced a joint traffic enforcement exercise across Abuja, to curb reckless driving, ease congestion, and enhance overall public safety.
Under the new enforcement framework, traffic offenders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will undergo mandatory medical and psychological evaluations prior to prosecution, with expenses borne by the violators.
The FCT FRSC Sector Commander, Corps Commander Tijjani Iliyasu, disclosed this at a joint media BRIEFING in Abuja.
He said the directive aligns with Regulation 176, Sub-regulation (5) of the amended National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012.
He noted that the enforcement targets key traffic infractions, including excessive overloading, traffic light violations, route violations such as driving against traffic (‘one-way’), and indiscriminate parking.
”This measure is intended to address dangerous driving behaviour, promote responsible road use, and protect lives and property. It is not designed to harass or intimidate members of the public.
”Traffic regulations are established primarily to protect lives and property, and compliance is the responsibility of every road user,” Iliyasu stated.
Also speaking, the Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Transport Secretariat, Chinedum Elechi, explained that while ongoing road expansion and rehabilitation efforts across the FCT aim to improve mobility, some motorists have exploited improved infrastructure to disregard traffic rules.
”In response, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps and other relevant agencies, has intensified joint traffic enforcement patrols across the FCT,” Elechi said.
He emphasised that offenders apprehended during the continuous joint operations will face strict sanctions under both the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012 and the FCT Road Traffic Regulations 2023.
Highlighting the security dimensions of the initiative, Dr Peter Olumuji, representing the Director of the FCT Security Services Department, noted that traffic infractions contribute directly to urban security challenges.
He cited illegal motor parks, commercial operators, Okada riders, and Keke NAPEP operators as factors linked to ‘one-chance’ robberies and violent crime in the capital.
Olumuji assured residents that security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Services (DSS), are providing full operational backing to manage potential resistance and ensure enforcement remains strictly within the provisions of the law.