By Abdul Jelil Adebayo
The 2026 Eid-El-Fitri celebration is on with the Federal government declaring public holidays and the leadership of the FRSC under the able supervision of Shehu Mohammed as the Corps Marshal has ordered Special Patrol Operations nationwide as part of efforts to guarantee safe travels for motorists during the festive period.
The special patrol, which is in line with the Corps’ statutory responsibility of ensuring safer road use across Nigeria, is designed to reduce road traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries while ensuring free flow of traffic on major highways.
The Corps Marshall explained that the operation will witness increased patrol visibility, strategic deployment of rescue teams, and enhanced public enlightenment campaigns to guide motorists and other road users during the Sallah celebrations.
According to him, the period of Eid-El-Fitri celebrations is traditionally characterised by high vehicular movement across the country as Muslim faithful travel to celebrate with family and loved ones.
He noted that the Corps has therefore mobilised its operational assets to manage the expected surge in traffic and prevent avoidable road crashes caused largely by speeding, dangerous driving, overloading, use of mobile phones while driving, route violations, and other traffic infractions.
He gave an assurance that the Corps will maintain 24 hour patrol operations along critical road corridors nationwide, supported by standby rescue teams, operational ambulances, tow trucks, patrol vehicles and motorbikes to ensure prompt response to emergencies.
Personnel were reminded that the mandate of the Federal Road Safety Corps goes beyond enforcement to protecting lives, promoting responsible road use, and serving the Nigerian public with honour, transparency, and accountability.
He promised that the operation will also involve the immediate removal of obstructions from highways and close monitoring of traffic situations to minimise delays for road users.
“This Sallah special operation will prioritise enforcement against major traffic violations including excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, tyre violations, lane indiscipline, road obstruction, overloading, mix-loading of passengers and goods, seat-belt violations, and operation of mechanically deficient vehicles.
It will be recalled that under the leadership of Shehu Mohammed, the Corps is witnessing a renewed drive toward institutional renewal, one that prioritises professionalism, ethical conduct, and operational efficiency as the bedrock of service.
He has also initiated a far-reaching internal reform process aimed at strengthening institutional discipline, deepening professionalism, and reinforcing a culture of respect and service excellence across all Commands of the Corps.
This proactive directive mandated the immediate deployment of the Corps Management Team to Field Commands nationwide for a structured retreat and reorientation programme.
The engagement was designed to recalibrate operational standards, enhance productivity, and decisively address all forms of incivility and unprofessional conduct toward members of the public.
The Corps Marshal has made it unequivocally clear that the Corps will not tolerate any behavior that undermines public trust or compromises its statutory mandate.
According to him, the nationwide engagement focused on strengthening ethical compliance, improving supervisory accountability, standardizing enforcement protocols, and embedding a citizen centered approach in all operational activities.
The Corps Marshal’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement is not in doubt.
He reiterated that FRSC remains resolute in its mission to deliver professional, humane, and efficient road safety services to all Nigerians.
This reform initiative marks a decisive step toward consolidating discipline within the ranks and strengthening public confidence in the Corps as a responsive and people oriented institution.
The era of complacency is over, he further submitted.
He emphasised that every Command must reflect operational excellence, ethical enforcement, and absolute respect for members of the public, declaring that institutional integrity remains the Corps’ strongest asset.
Concerned about its commitment to proactive road safety management, intelligence driven enforcement, and the protection of lives and property rather than reacting to tragedies after they occur, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, has therefore ordered the immediate deployment of a high level tactical team to the AYA–Nyanya Expressway, in Abuja following a series of disturbing road traffic crashes along the axis.
The team, led by the Assistant Corps Marshal, Operations, Olusegun Ogungbemide, has been mandated to carry out a comprehensive, on-the-spot assessment of the causative factors responsible for the incessant crashes and to recommend swift, to evidence-based remedial measures
The FRSC leadership is of course taking firm and anticipatory steps to identify systemic risks, eliminate hazards, and strengthen operational presence on critical routes.
Coincidentally, he said, the initiative is also a critical component of the ongoing Eid-el-Fitr Special Patrol operations, designed to ensure seamless traffic flow, reduced travel time, and safer journeys for millions of Nigerians during the festive period.
“By integrating tactical investigation with intensified patrol, the Corps is reinforcing its dual approach of enforcement and prevention, thereby delivering real time solutions to emerging road safety challenges.”
The Corps Marshal re-emphasised that road safety is a shared responsibility and calls on all road users, drivers, commuters, and pedestrians to cooperate fully with the tactical team and adhere strictly to traffic regulations.
He assures the motoring public that the Corps will continue to evolve innovative strategies, deploy resources strategically, and act swiftly in the face of emerging threats to public safety.
While wishing the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyful Eid-El-Fitri celebration, the Corps Marshal urged motorists to cooperate with FRSC personnel and other law enforcement agencies by obeying traffic rules, avoiding speeding, ensuring their vehicles are roadworthy, and exercising patience while driving.
He reiterated that the Corps remains committed to its mandate of creating a safer motoring environment for all road users across the country
Abdul wrote in from Abuja via abduljelil2001@gmail.com