The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Biu, has ordered sector commanders to immediately set up a joint task force to conduct special patrol operations that would apprehend trailers and trucks carrying humans and animals and prosecute the erring drivers.

The FRSC spokesperson, Bisi Kazeem, in a statement on Sunday, December 10, said the directive followed the death of 18 persons in a crash involving 65 persons which occurred at about 05:20 am on Sunday along the Abuja-Kaduna highway. No fewer than 27 persons sustained varying degrees of injury in the road accident, which occurred at Audu Jhangon village along the expressway on Sunday.

“The crash occurred when a DAF trailer with registration number KUJ 430XC overloaded with goods and humans lost control and fell into a ditch. The latest incident is sequel to an unfortunate auto crash that similarly claimed 18 lives in Niger State. Preliminary investigations into the two crashes and others revealed the following: the fatal crashes involved trailers carrying humans and animals, and the vehicles involved embarked on a night journey.” Biu said

The statement further reads; “The Corps Marshal has directed Sector Commanders to immediately set up the joint task force that will impound and prosecute trailers and trucks carrying humans and animals. The Corps Marshal also directed that a mobile court should be set up for immediate prosecution of traffic offenders upon the immediate commencement of this operation.” the statement read.