The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have arrested 1,975 traffic offenders within the first two weeks of its 'Operation Panther' traffic exercise.The arrests were made between September 1st and September 11th 2020, with a total of 2,225 traffic violations recorded.

'Operation Panther' was flagged off as a special patrol exercise by the Zone 7 of the FRSC, comprising the FCT and Niger State. The exercise was aimed at bringing about a new orientation for driver’s to deal with hazard
headlong and promote responsible driving in the FCT and Niger as well as to ensure that only licensed drivers ply the highways.

The Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone 7 HQ Abuja, ACM Jonas Agwu, in a statement, expressed delight at the outcome of the Special Patrol, saying it was a fallout of the ongoing Special Intervention Patrol (SIP) aimed at instilling traffic sanity in the Federal Capital Territory and Niger state.

Mr. Agwu noted that the outcome revealed critical offences which are top causative factors behind fatal road traffic crashes. The critical offences, according to ACM Agwu, stand at 772 offences with overloading which has become a daily infraction standing at 195 offences. Further breakdown of the two weeks enforcements revealed that 155 offenders were arrested for driving and phoning infractions, while traffic light infractions (light sign violation) stands at 48 offences.

Other violations include: 102 offenders for Tyre violation, 5 offences for dangerous driving, while riding motorcycle without crash helmet stands at 79. The Zonal Commanding Officer warned the motoring public that ‘’Operation Panther II which is the second phase had commenced on Monday 14th Sept, 2020.

He said the other two weeks will focus on unlicensed drivers, obstructions and lane indiscipline in addition to vehicle number plate violation, failure to install speed limit device, driver’s license violation and failure to move over’’ traffic infractions, ACM Agwu said. He appealed to motorists in the FCT and Niger State to support the ongoing patrol by obeying traffic rules to promote responsible driving.

"The Zone will not relent in the efforts which has the complimentary and collaboration backings of Sister Agencies such as the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps , among others"; he said.