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2022: FRSC records 74 deaths in 2Q; Begs: Avoid Over Speeding, Overloading

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2022: FRSC records 74 deaths in 2Q; Begs: Avoid Over Speeding, Overloading

… As Osun records 280 accidents, 78 deaths in 9 months***

A total of 74 deaths were recorded in the second quarter of this year, the Lagos Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said.

The Zonal Commanding Officer, Asst. Corp Marshal, Peter Kibo made the disclosure during the 2022 Ember month flag-off on Wednesday in Lagos.

Kibo, represented by the Lagos Sector Commander, Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide said that a total figure of 232 people were injured.

He said another 10 deaths were recorded at Shagamu fire accident recently, adding that the safety of the road was everybody’s business.

The Theme of this year’s Ember Month Campaign: “Avoid Over Speeding, Overloading, Unsafe Tyre to Arrive Alive”.

“Many of the road users accused Government of not repairing the road while accidents usually occur on a smooth road.

” Lagos is blessed with gridlock that is while accidents are reduced within Lagos metropolis.

“Every day, people and emergency units are called for rescue due to excess speed.

” This is caused by lack of discipline and failure to obey the rules of Government regulatory road authorities,” Kibo said.

He said that virtually all the religious houses were always praying for protection, adding that both drivers and commuters too had roles to play in safety on the road.

He advised commuters not to leave the safety of the road to drivers alone because they also had their motive and interest to increase their turnover while they engage in overspeeding which could lead to accidents.

Kibo said that many reckless drivers do not feel the pain of death and urged them to avoid overspeeding while driving.

He pleaded with drivers to avoid night driving saying that 50 percent of death recorded in 2022 so far happen at night.

In a goodwill message, stakeholders advised motorists to obey safety rules in other to avoid crashes.

In his opening remarks, its Head of Operation, Mr. Lucas Oguntade described ember months as the month where intensive activities took place which involved traveling from one place to the other.

Oguntade advises motorists to ensure their safety and always check their health status which would help them in reducing accidents on the road.

He said a lot of accidents were caused as a result of bad eyesight, he commended the effort of medical experts who support them with free medical tests and Vision Spring for providing 250 free glasses to drivers with bad sight.

In his goodwill message Lt. Col. Emmanuel Sholotan, Commanding officer, 174 Battalion, Nigeria Army Ikorodu, urged road users to avoid use of drugs and overspeeding.

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Lagos, Mr. Abiodun Alabi, Represented by Assist. CP Mr. Oludotun Odubona commended the efforts of FRSC for complementing police duties and assisting the Government in reducing crashes in Nigeria.

Alabi said that parking on the road to pick up passengers caused a lot of traffic which also encouraged robbers to take advantage of the situation at the bus stops.

He pleaded with road users to desist from consuming alcohol which he said was an advert for accidents.

The General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Mr. Bolaji Oreagba urged road users to obey the traffic law of all regulatory agencies to assist Government achieve its aims.

Oreagba, represented by LASTMA Controller, Mr. Jubril Oshodi, said that the 2020-2030 safety declaration action by the United Nations (UN) aimed to achieve crashes to 50 percent compared to the figure of crashes occurs between 2012 and 2020.

He said that the UN had looked forward and expected Nigeria should understand that road safety was Paramount and essential for all everyone.

He urged drivers to ensure they laid safety foundations before moving their vehicles on the road adding that safety begins from point of origin to destination.

The Assist. Commandant, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos, Mr. Igbeke Austine, said that most accidents had something to do with drug abuse.

Austine advised road users to avoid taking alcohol which he said intoxicated the body, makes someone misbehave, and also affects their health.

The Partnership Manager, Leadway Assurance, Mr. Rotimi Olowofela, said the accidents happened suddenly and no driver had power over them.

Olowofela said that a total of 3,345 accidents happened in the first quarter of 2022 in Nigeria adding that 1,834 people were killed as a result of the road accident.

He urged drivers to obey the rules and avoid crashes.

The Chairman More Blessing Park, Sobo, Ikorodu, Alhaji Gbeminiyi Animashaun, pleaded with other parks officials to desist from taking alcohol.

He said that if motor driver leaders take alcohol that other drivers at the parks would engage in illicit drugs which would endanger passengers.

In another development, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says 280 accidents and 78 deaths were recorded in various traffic accidents in Osun from January to September 2022.

The Sector Commander, Mr. Paul Okpe made the disclosure during the flag-off of the ember months campaign on Thursday in Osogbo.

Okpe said 1,894 people were caught up in the traffic accidents involving 429 vehicles, which left 78 dead and 898 injured.

“Most of these accidents occurred on Ibadan-Gbongan expressway, Ife and Iwaraja junction, Ipetu-Ijesa and Owena road.

“We shall continue to work with transport stakeholders, transport unions, traditional institutions and sister security agencies to reduce accidents on Osun roads,” the sector commander said.

According to him, the command has identified some black spots that are prone to accidents and has taken strategic measures to ensure safety of road users.

He urged motorists to comply with road traffic regulations, warning that the command would not spare any traffic offender.

Mr. U Ojeamere, the FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Osun, Oyo and Ekiti, said the corps was collaborating with sister security agencies and key stakeholders to ensure safer roads.

According to him, all zebra and roadside clinics must be active, while the FRSC will enhance its response time to accidents.

“The toll-free call during an emergency is 122 and within three minutes you will see our men there,” he said.

The zonal commander said regular and special marshals had been deployed to cover all road corridors during the yuletide.

 

Health and Safety

FRSC: 5,421 People Killed, 21,580 Arrested As Nigeria Records 9,570 Road Crashes In 2024

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FRSC: 5,421 People Killed, 21,580 Arrested As Nigeria Records 9,570 Road Crashes In 2024

…A frightening death average, of more than 14 persons per day!

 The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it had arrested no fewer than 21,580 traffic offenders between January and December 2024 across the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed disclosed this while addressing the reporters on the 2024 special patrol operations on Monday in Abuja.

Mohammed said that the Corps recorded a reduction in the number of offenders recorded in 2024 as against 29,220 within the same period in 2023.

“This signifies a 26 per cent increase in compliance with traffic rules and regulations.

“The total number of offences committed stood at 25,942 representing a 23.5 per cent reduction in traffic law violation compared to the data of the same period in 2023,” he said.

Mohammed said that the analysis of the Corps’ annual performance indicated a drastic reduction in Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs).

This, he said, was as well as in the number of people injured compared to the annual record of 2023.

“From Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024, a total of 9,570 RTCs were recorded nationwide. This figure is against 10,617 RTCs recorded in 2023 which signify a tremendous reduction of 10 per cent.

“Furthermore, 31,154 people were injured in 2024 while 31,874 were injured in 2023 representing a two percent decrease.

“However, the Corps recorded a seven per cent increase in fatalities as 5,421 people were killed in 2024 while 5,081 people were killed in 2023.

“Meanwhile, a total of 70,530 people got involved in RTCs in 2024 compared to 70,092 in 2023 signifying an increase of one per cent, ” he said.

The FRSC boss emphasised that out of the total fatalities that occurred in 2024, 411 deaths, representing 7.6 per cent of the total deaths, were not primarily caused by the crashes.

Mohammed said that the crashes were caused by a secondary factor which he described as the very monster the Corps was fighting; scooping of fuel from fallen tankers.

“This, therefore implies that without the casualties recorded from scooping fuel from crashed tankers, the Corps would have recorded 5,010 deaths in 2024.

“This will be as against 5,081 in 2023 signifying a 1.4 per cent reduction in the total number of people killed,” he said.

The FRSC Corps Marshal reiterated that the alarming rate of crashes and fatalities occurred as a result of the loading of trailers with goods and persons.

This, he said in addition to fatigue, speed violations, overloading, dangerous driving as well as poor vehicle maintenance within the period under review. 

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Health and Safety

AREPO: Police Deploy Team To Rescue Kidnapped Wife Of Ex-AIG Odumosu

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AREPO: Police Deploy Team To Rescue Kidnapped Wife Of Ex-AIG Odumosu

The Police Command in Ogun says it has deployed a team of officers to the scene of Thursday’s kidnap of Mrs Odumosu, wife of retired AIG Hakeem Odumosu.

The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement in Abeokuta on Friday.

Odutola said the victim, a resident of Aminu Street, Orange Estate, Arepo, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, was kidnapped at about 9.55 p.m. on Thursday while entering her home.

She explained that four masked men attacked and dragged her out of her Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle, taking her through a swampy area to an unknown location.

“The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Warewa Division, has led policemen to the scene where they are currently searching the swampy bush area,” she said.

According to the spokesperson, the DPO had also contacted the Warewa and Maaba community heads to deploy local security forces to the riverine area.

“Further updates will be provided,” she said.

Odutola said the state Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, had been briefed and that all operations had been deployed to assist with digital intelligence to ensure the victim’s rescue. 

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Health and Safety

NSCDC Nabs 36 Scavengers With Weapons, Illicit Drugs, In FCT

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NSCDC Nabs 36 Scavengers With Weapons, Illicit Drugs, In FCT

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended 36 scavengers over alleged possession of weapons and illicit drugs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Commandant, NSCDC FCT Command, Dr Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this, on Friday in Abuja, saying the suspects were caught in various areas of the FCT.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had prohibited activities of scavengers in the FCT and suspended two weeks of operations of pan-takers across the city.

Odumosu said that items allegedly recovered from the suspects included four daggers, three Jack knives, two chisels and, three knives.

Others are narcotic drugs, ten bottles of codeine syrup, 45 wraps of cannabis sativa, thrash bags and pieces of iron rods.

“The suspects are currently being investigated and profiled and I will ensure that due diligence is followed in their prosecution,” Odumosu assured.

The corps commandant advised FCT residents to dispose of refuse through the appropriate waste management companies and stop patronising scavengers, popularly called “Baba Nbola” for the sake of safety.

He said that their detention was necessitated to nip vandalism and theft of public infrastructure such as manhole covers, streetlights, solar panels, armoured cables and other assets in the bud.

Odumosu said that the suspects roam the streets of the FCT, perpetrating all forms of criminal activities under the guise of scavenging.

“Most of these scavengers are dangerous elements that must be flushed out of the FCT if we want crime to abate.

“The public should note that, although they appear innocent, harmless and vulnerable, most of them are extremely dangerous, their activities are criminal and they constitute threats to the nation.

“They go about the nooks and crannies of the city scavenging for plastics, scrap metals and irons, but from previous arrests, interrogations and investigations we realised that their real business is to vandalise infrastructure.

“This has resulted in the untimely death and maiming of many innocent Nigerians,” he said.

The commandant further said that investigations also revealed that these scavengers serve as informants to criminals.

“They also assess and profile you through the kind of household waste products you dispose of, which in most cases reveals your status and lifestyles,” he said.

Odumosu urged residents to join hands with the corps and other security agencies to flush out these dangerous elements in the FCT.

“Chase scavengers away whenever you see them in front of your houses, streets, neighbourhoods or estates.

“Give us relevant information about any suspicious movements or activities of these criminal scavengers who have been restricted to operate at dump sites only,” the commandant said. 

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