The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), working with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other security agencies, has launched a special enforcement operation targeting motorists who violate traffic rules across Abuja.
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The exercise will focus on offences such as beating traffic lights, driving against traffic, using unauthorised routes and parking illegally on major roads.
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The Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Transportation Secretariat, Chinedum Elechi, announced the operation on Thursday at a joint intervention press conference in Abuja.
Elechi said a task force had been established to patrol strategic locations, apprehend offenders and ensure that those found guilty face appropriate sanctions.
He explained that the enforcement became necessary because of the increasing disregard for traffic regulations by some motorists across the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, the expansion of the FCT road network through the urban renewal programme of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has improved movement across Abuja but has also created additional challenges for traffic management.
He said some motorists had taken advantage of the improved road infrastructure to disregard traffic regulations, creating risks for other road users.
Elechi welcomed the collaboration between the FCTA, FRSC, FCT Security Department, Traffic Control Department and other relevant agencies, describing it as an important step towards improving traffic management in the capital.
He said the joint operation would target motorists who disobey traffic lights and other traffic control devices, violate designated routes or drive against traffic.
The enforcement will also cover illegal parking on major roads, road junctions, under bridges and pedestrian crossings.
Elechi urged motorists and commercial transport operators to obey traffic regulations, follow approved routes and use designated parking areas.
He said the exercise would be sustained and that offenders would be dealt with under applicable federal and FCT traffic laws.
The official added that some offenders could also be subjected to mandatory medical and psychological assessments where required under the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012 and FCT Road Traffic Regulations.
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Elechi stressed that the operation was not designed to intimidate law-abiding motorists but to make Abuja’s roads safer, improve traffic movement and protect lives and property.
The FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Tijjani Iliyasu, said the command had observed a rise in cases of overloading, traffic light violations, route violations, driving against traffic and indiscriminate parking.
He said the offences were contributing to traffic congestion, restricting the movement of vehicles and increasing the danger faced by motorists, pedestrians and other road users.
Iliyasu said the situation required continuous enforcement alongside public education and cooperation between government agencies and road users.
He disclosed that motorists arrested for applicable offences, including excessive overloading, traffic light violations and route violations, would be required to undergo medical and psychological evaluation before prosecution where applicable.
According to him, Regulation 176, Sub-regulation 5 of the amended National Road Traffic Regulation 2012 provides for medical and psychological assessment of persons suspected of certain traffic offences at an approved government hospital before prosecution, with the cost borne by the offender.
He said the measure was intended to address dangerous driving habits and encourage safer behaviour on the roads.
The FRSC commander urged motorists to obey traffic lights, road signs and markings and avoid overloading their vehicles or driving against traffic.
He also advised motorists against parking indiscriminately or engaging in activities that obstruct the free flow of traffic.
Iliyasu urged commercial transport operators and other road users to use approved motor parks, bus stops and designated loading and dropping points.
He further called on motorists to obey instructions from authorised traffic management and enforcement officers and to exercise patience and discipline, especially during busy periods.
The commander said motorists should not risk lives simply to save a few minutes on the road.
He assured residents that the FRSC would continue working with the FCTA and other agencies through enforcement, public education, stakeholder engagement and road engineering measures to improve safety and traffic management.
The joint operation is expected to continue at strategic locations across the FCT as authorities step up efforts to reduce traffic offences, ease congestion and protect road users.
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