The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has warned members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the general public against fuel scooping, mixed loading and night driving.
Mr Odogiyon Moses, Deputy Corps Commander and Head of Operations at the FRSC Kogi Sector Command in Lokoja, issued the warning on Saturday – yesterday, March 1 – during a town hall meeting organised by the FRSC and NURTW in the State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting, which had the theme “Dangers of Night Driving, Mixed Loading, Discourage Fuel Scooping, and Enhance Emergency Responses,” highlighted the alarming risks associated with these unsafe practices.
Moses described the recent loss of lives and destruction caused by fuel scooping and mixed loading as “devastating,” warning that unless both motorists and the general public take action to abandon these practices, more innocent lives would be at risk.
Moses recalled a recent tragedy in Lokoja, where nine people died, and 60 others were injured in an accident involving an articulated vehicle carrying both animals and humans.
He also advised motorists to avoid night journeys, as the necessary emergency responses are often unavailable in case of accidents at night.
In response, the State NURTW Chairman, Alhaji Danladi Aliyu, expressed the union’s commitment to improving safety on the nation’s highways.
Speaking through the union’s State Secretary, Mr Usman Teslim, Aliyu described the town hall as “apt and timely,” especially given the poor condition of the roads.
Other officials and stakeholders also expressed their gratitude for the meeting, noting that it provided them with an opportunity to address concerns and ask questions about safety issues.
