ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Federal Capital Territory Administration, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps and other security agencies, has commenced a sustained enforcement operation against traffic light violations, driving against traffic, and other road offences across the nation’s capital.
Chinedum Elechi, Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Transportation Secretariat, announced the development on Thursday at a joint intervention press conference in Abuja, declaring that the taskforce would patrol the city and arrest offenders who would face the full weight of the law.
“Effective today, a joint taskforce comprising the FCT Department of Road Traffic Services, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant security agencies will commence a sustained enforcement operation against traffic light violations, driving against traffic, and other road offences in the FCT,” Elechi stated.
He warned that the FCT Administration had observed with grave concern the persistent disregard for traffic regulations by motorists, particularly the brazen violation of traffic signals and the dangerous practice of driving against oncoming traffic, which have resulted in avoidable fatalities and injuries. “This situation has become a serious threat to the safety and well-being of law-abiding residents of the FCT,” he said.
“The days of impunity on our roads are over. We will not allow a few reckless individuals to endanger the lives of innocent residents. We will enforce the law without fear or favour, and anyone found violating traffic regulations will be made to face the consequences of their actions,” Elechi warned.
The enforcement operation will be intelligence-driven and will involve a combination of visible patrols, the deployment of technology, and the prosecution of offenders through mobile courts. The taskforce will also identify and impound vehicles used to violate traffic regulations, as well as confiscate the driver’s licenses of offenders for appropriate sanctions by the FRSC.
The FCTA urged motorists to obey traffic signals at all times, avoid driving against traffic, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, and refrain from using phones while driving. Elechi appealed to residents to cooperate with the taskforce and report any reckless driving or traffic violations they witness.
“Our roads are not a playground. They are a shared space that requires discipline, respect, and responsibility from all road users. We urge motorists to desist from reckless driving and to obey all traffic rules and regulations,” Elechi added. “We will continue to engage the public through advocacy and sensitisation, but we will also not hesitate to take enforcement action where necessary. The safety of our residents is paramount.”
The FCTA also warned that it would not hesitate to revoke the operational licenses of commercial vehicles found to be violating traffic regulations, including those involved in one-way driving and traffic light violations. “We are determined to make Abuja a model city in terms of traffic management and road safety,” Elechi said.
“We call on all residents of the FCT to support this initiative by obeying traffic rules and reporting any violations they witness. Together, we can create a safer and more orderly traffic environment for everyone,” he added. “The FCT Administration is committed to building a city that works for all its residents, and we will continue to implement policies and programmes that promote the well-being of our people.“
