The Federal Road Safety Corps has issued a fresh directive to all its commanding officers to intensify enforcement against vehicle overloading across the country, as part of renewed efforts to safeguard lives on Nigerian roads.
This was disclosed by the Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.
Addressing concerns about alleged laxity in enforcement, Mr. Ogungbemide refuted claims that the agency was not taking action against overloaded vehicles, insisting such accusations were baseless.
“There is no place where you visit today where you won’t find overloaded vehicles being impounded for one infraction or the other.
“Evidence of ongoing enforcement is regularly shared on FRSC’s social media platforms, including recent arrests made across various locations.
“In 2024, between January and December, the Corps impounded overloaded vehicles and arrested offenders in all the 12 zones of the FRSC.
“For example, 777 overloaded vehicles were impounded in Kaduna zone, while 500, 489, 223, 489 and 89 vehicles where impounded in Sokoto, Oshogbo, Bauchi, Lagos and Yola zones respectively.
“Others include 289, 356, 140, 1,266, 440 and 157 overloaded vehicles impounded in Jos, Benin, Portharcourt, Abuja, Ilorin and Enugu zones respectively.
“This brings to the total of overloaded vehicles impounded as 5,217. So this is ongoing and we won’t relent until road traffic crashes is curb to the barest minimum on Nigeria roads,” he said.
While highlighting the statistics, Mr. Ogungbemide acknowledged that one major hurdle to progress remained the stubborn attitude of repeat offenders, who continued to ignore safety protocols despite facing sanctions.
“We have not relented in advocacy, especially towards commercial drivers and commuters, to discourage entering overloaded vehicles.”
He noted that while consistent enforcement remains key, the Corps is also investing in public education and awareness to change behavior and attitudes.
“We’ve been doing this for 37 years, but unfortunately, some drivers are still bent on violating traffic safety rules. So, we are enforcing more and engaging the public directly.
“We also believe that if there’s no market for these drivers, it won’t be enticing for them. But when passengers are available, they take advantage and overload,” he said.
In a bid to further reduce risk, the FRSC has also directed special attention to northern zones, where the practice of “mixed loading”—the transportation of people alongside goods and animals—is reportedly more prevalent.
Mr Ogungbemide explained that “mix loading,” which was the transportation of passengers alongside goods and animals in the same vehicle, posed serious risks.
As the country enters a high-travel period, the FRSC is stepping up its operations and outreach efforts to ensure safer roads for all.
“As the country enters a busy travel season, the FRSC has increased its surveillance and engagement efforts to ensure safe transit for all road users,” he assured.FRSC intensifies ceackdown on overloaded, mixed-use vehicles
The Federal Road Safety Corps has issued a fresh directive to all its commanding officers to intensify enforcement against vehicle overloading across the country, as part of renewed efforts to safeguard lives on Nigerian roads.
This was disclosed by the Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.
Addressing concerns about alleged laxity in enforcement, Mr. Ogungbemide refuted claims that the agency was not taking action against overloaded vehicles, insisting such accusations were baseless.
“There is no place where you visit today where you won’t find overloaded vehicles being impounded for one infraction or the other.
“Evidence of ongoing enforcement is regularly shared on FRSC’s social media platforms, including recent arrests made across various locations.
“In 2024, between January and December, the Corps impounded overloaded vehicles and arrested offenders in all the 12 zones of the FRSC.
“For example, 777 overloaded vehicles were impounded in Kaduna zone, while 500, 489, 223, 489 and 89 vehicles where impounded in Sokoto, Oshogbo, Bauchi, Lagos and Yola zones respectively.
“Others include 289, 356, 140, 1,266, 440 and 157 overloaded vehicles impounded in Jos, Benin, Portharcourt, Abuja, Ilorin and Enugu zones respectively.
“This brings to the total of overloaded vehicles impounded as 5,217. So this is ongoing and we won’t relent until road traffic crashes is curb to the barest minimum on Nigeria roads,” he said.
While highlighting the statistics, Mr. Ogungbemide acknowledged that one major hurdle to progress remained the stubborn attitude of repeat offenders, who continued to ignore safety protocols despite facing sanctions.
“We have not relented in advocacy, especially towards commercial drivers and commuters, to discourage entering overloaded vehicles.”
He noted that while consistent enforcement remains key, the Corps is also investing in public education and awareness to change behavior and attitudes.
“We’ve been doing this for 37 years, but unfortunately, some drivers are still bent on violating traffic safety rules. So, we are enforcing more and engaging the public directly.
“We also believe that if there’s no market for these drivers, it won’t be enticing for them. But when passengers are available, they take advantage and overload,” he said.
In a bid to further reduce risk, the FRSC has also directed special attention to northern zones, where the practice of “mixed loading”—the transportation of people alongside goods and animals—is reportedly more prevalent.
Mr Ogungbemide explained that “mix loading,” which was the transportation of passengers alongside goods and animals in the same vehicle, posed serious risks.
As the country enters a high-travel period, the FRSC is stepping up its operations and outreach efforts to ensure safer roads for all.
“As the country enters a busy travel season, the FRSC has increased its surveillance and engagement efforts to ensure safe transit for all road users,” he assured.
