The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), working with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies, has launched a sustained enforcement campaign against traffic violations across Abuja.
The Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Transportation Secretariat, Mr Chinedum Elechi, announced the operation on Thursday at a joint intervention press conference in Abuja, where he said a dedicated task force would patrol strategic locations and apprehend motorists who violate traffic regulations.
According to Elechi, offenders will be sanctioned in accordance with applicable national and FCT traffic laws.
He explained that the enforcement became necessary following growing disregard for traffic regulations by some motorists, particularly amid the expansion of the capital’s road network through the FCT Administration’s urban renewal programme.
Elechi said the administration welcomed its partnership with the FRSC FCT Sector Command and other agencies, describing the collaboration as an important move towards improving traffic management and restoring order on Abuja roads.
“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 noted that the combined efforts of the FCT Security Department, Traffic Control Department, FRSC and other agencies would strengthen traffic management across the territory.
The Mandate Secretary said the construction of new roads and expansion of existing routes had enhanced connectivity and eased movement in many parts of the FCT, but had also presented fresh challenges for traffic control.
“With some drivers taking advantage of the improved road infrastructure to disregard traffic rules and regulations,” he said.
The enforcement operation will focus on several offences, including ignoring traffic lights and other control devices, violating approved routes, using restricted roads without authorisation, driving against traffic and parking illegally on major roads, junctions, under bridges and pedestrian crossings.
Elechi urged motorists and commercial transport operators to comply with traffic regulations, follow designated routes and make use of approved parking facilities.
He stressed that the operation would be maintained and that motorists arrested for violations would face the appropriate penalties under relevant traffic regulations.
Where applicable, offenders would also be subjected to compulsory medical and psychological assessments in accordance with the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012 and FCT Road Traffic Regulations.
“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,” Elechi said.
He clarified, however, that the exercise was not designed to intimidate motorists who obey the law, but to promote safer roads, improve traffic movement and protect lives and property.
Also speaking, the FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Tijjani Iliyasu, identified excessive overloading, traffic light violations, route violations, driving against traffic and indiscriminate parking as major concerns for the command.
He said the offences were contributing to congestion, restricting the movement of vehicles and putting road users and their property at risk.
Iliyasu said addressing the situation would require consistent enforcement alongside public awareness campaigns and stronger cooperation among relevant agencies and stakeholders.
He disclosed that motorists arrested for applicable offences, particularly excessive overloading, traffic light violations and route violations, including driving against traffic, would be required to undergo prescribed medical and psychological evaluations before prosecution.
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According to him, Regulation 176, Sub-regulation 5 of the amended National Road Traffic Regulation 2012 requires persons suspected of applicable offences to undergo medical and psychological evaluation at an approved government hospital before prosecution, with the cost borne by the offenders.
Iliyasu said the requirement was intended to tackle dangerous driving behaviour and encourage responsible conduct on the roads rather than intimidate members of the public.
He called on motorists to obey traffic signals, road signs and markings, avoid overloading their vehicles, desist from driving against traffic and use only authorised routes.
The FRSC commander also advised motorists against indiscriminate parking and other activities that obstruct traffic, urging them to use designated motor parks, bus stops and approved loading and dropping points.
He further appealed to road users to follow instructions from accredited traffic management and enforcement officials while exercising 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.
Iliyasu assured residents that the FRSC FCT Sector Command would maintain a coordinated strategy combining enforcement, public education, engagement with stakeholders, engineering measures and collaboration with other agencies to strengthen road safety and traffic management.
“Our message is simple: obey traffic regulations, respect other road users, and make safety a personal responsibility,” he said.
The authorities said the joint enforcement operation would continue at strategic points across the FCT as efforts are intensified to curb traffic violations, ease vehicular movement and protect lives and property.