FRSC To Prosecute Trucks Carrying Humans With Animals

Abuja, Nigeria– The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dauda Biu, has issued a directive to all sector commanders to establish a joint task force to conduct special patrol operations that will apprehend trailers and trucks found to be transporting humans and animals in violation of safety regulations.

The decision comes in response to growing concerns over the dangerous practice of using commercial vehicles designed for goods transportation to carry passengers and animals, posing serious threats to road safety.

The FRSC spokesperson, Bisi Kazeem, in a statement on Sunday, December 10, said the directive followed the death of 18 persons in a crash involving 65 persons which occurred at about 05:20 am on Sunday along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.

He said that no fewer than 27 persons sustained varying degrees of injury in the road accident, which occurred at Audu Jhangon village along the expressway on Sunday.

“The crash occurred when a DAF trailer with registration number KUJ 430XC overloaded with goods and humans lost control and fell into a ditch. The latest incident is sequel to an unfortunate auto crash that similarly claimed 18 lives in Niger State.

“Preliminary investigations into the two crashes and others revealed the following: the fatal crashes involved trailers carrying humans and animals, and the vehicles involved embarked on a night journey.” Biu said

“The Corps Marshal has directed Sector Commanders to immediately set up the joint task force that will impound and prosecute trailers and trucks carrying humans and animals.

The Corps Marshal also directed that a mobile court should be set up for the immediate prosecution of traffic offenders upon the immediate commencement of this operation.