By Omoyeni Ojeifo
In a nationwide enforcement drive across major transport corridors, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it has arrested 1,691 offenders in a five-day special operation targeting overloading, mix-loading, fake number plates and other violations linked to road crashes and security risks.
Details of the operation were announced in a statement by the FRSC, a copy of which was obtained by Persecondnews on Monday in Abuja.
The enforcement exercise, codenamed Operation Guduma, was conducted across eleven states, with 1,003 arrests linked to number plate-related offences and fraudulent vehicle identification practices, 683 for overloading and mix-loading violations, while other arrests were connected to different categories of traffic infractions uncovered during the exercise.
According to officials, the findings exposed growing exploitation of loopholes in Nigeria’s vehicle registration and identification framework.
“We are witnessing increasing exploitation of registration loopholes designed to evade lawful scrutiny and enforcement.”
The Corps warned that the abuse of diplomatic and unauthorised number plates poses both security and regulatory challenges.
“The misuse of diplomatic and unauthorised number plates undermines the integrity of our vehicle identification system and weakens national security,” it said.
The Corps said the arrests reflect a growing disregard for road safety regulations across the country.
“The arrests reflect a dangerous culture of disregard for road safety regulations that continues to put lives at risk across the country.”
It warned that overloading and mix-loading remain major contributors to avoidable road crashes, noting that many intercepted vehicles were carrying unsafe and improperly secured cargo.
The Corps further raised concerns over the condition of some intercepted vehicles, including those operating with unstable and dangerously loaded containers, warning that such practices significantly increase the risk of road crashes.
“Vehicles found operating with unsafe and overloaded cargo present a significant threat, with the potential to cause catastrophic crashes and fatalities.
“Motorists, transport operators and vehicle owners are advised to ensure that all vehicles are in proper roadworthy condition before use, warning that unsafe, overloaded or poorly maintained vehicles pose serious risks to road users.”
The FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, commended officers for their professionalism and effective performance during the operation.
He reaffirmed that the Corps would continue to sustain intelligence-led enforcement operations nationwide to dismantle violations, improve compliance, and reduce road traffic crashes across the country.
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