The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sokoto Zonal Command. Is set to deploy personnel and logistics including patrol vehicles and ambulances on all the major routes of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states in order to ease movement of vehicles and people and ensure safety of lives and prooerty during the Sallah period.
The Command is also poised to tackle overloading, driving under influence of alcohol, drugs and other intoxicants as well as reckless driving during the Sallah period.
These, among other major traffic offences that have claimed a number of lives and caused major injuries to road users will be the focus of the Command during the eid-el-kabir period.
The Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States Assistant Corps Marshal Kayode Olagunju disclosed these in a release signed by ACC Aliyu Maaji, the Zonal Public Education Officer.
Olagunju directed all commanding Officers in the Zone to use the sallah period to further sensitize members of the public on the upcoming massive enforcement of the laws on number plates and riders licences for motorcycle and tricycle operators, commencing on 2nd October 2019.
The zonal commander furthér warned motorists to desist from stuffing humans and animals in vehicles, avoid use of phone while driving and engaging in lane indiscipline and other forms of violations on the road. Dr Olagunju vowed to get offenders arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, 2007, the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 and other relevant laws . He advised motorists and other road users not to engage in any activities that could keep them behind bar during the sallah celebration. He disclosed that suspected drunk drivers would be subjected to alcolyser and breath analyser tests to arrest those driving under influence of alcohol and other intoxicants.
The Zonal Commander enjoined all road users to obey traffic rules and regulations to ensure safety. He advised that people should plan their journeys well and leave allowances for delays that could be caused by increased traffic volumes. He admonished then to leave their places of origins early to avoid any rush on the road for safe arrival at the destinations. He reminded all that only the living can celebrate . Olagunju wished all motorists and other road users safe trips during the sallah period.
Meanwhile, Olagunju has vowed to always arrest and prosecute any road user who assaults Corps personnel while discharging their legitimate duties.
Such violent offenders are liable to be sentenced by competent Court of jurisdiction. He warned members of the public to desist from attacking FRSC operatives as he also informed that any staff who violates the rights of any road user will also be dealt with in line with the extant laws guiding the operation of the Corps.
This warning came on the heels of the sentencing of Yahaya Yakubu, male (Motorcyclist) and Yushau Maishanu, male (a passerby) to five months imprisoment and five lashes of the cane by an Argungu Magistrate Court presided over by Magistrate Ummaru Kallamu Aliero for assaulting FRSC Argungu patrol personnel on 18th July, 2019 along Argungu- Sokoto road.
In a release signed by ACC Aliyu Maaji,the Zonal Public Education Officer, he stated that the accused had earlier being remanded in Prison Custody on the 18th July, 2019 for resisting arrest, criminal force and assault, obstruction of public servant in the discharge of duties and intentional insult.
The Magistrate in his ruling on Wednesday 24th July, 2019 sentenced the two accused for five (5) Months Imprisonment with the option of fine of five thousand naira for each of the four count Charges. The Magistrate further directed the accused to pay for all items lost by the patrol team during the assault, which were assessed to cost fourteen thousand Naira.
The Zonal Commander praised the Magistrate for the judgement which he believed would serve as enough detterence to anyone who harbours the thought of attacking the FRSC personnel while discharging their legal duties.
