The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Imo says it has deployed 362 officers and 327 special marshals for road surveillance during the Yuletide.

The Sector Commander of the corps in the state, Mr Anthony Uga, said this on Tuesday, while addressing newsmen in Owerri on the command’s preparedness to address the challenges usually associated with the Yuletide.

Uga said that the affected officers were drawn from the corps’ five unit commands in Mbaise, Orlu, Okigwe, Njaba and Ngor-Okpala unit commands, as well as the command’s headquarters in Owerri.

He also said that a tow truck and eight operational vehicles would be deployed for the “special operation”, which would last from November 5 to Jan. 31, 2025.

He thanked the Corps Marshal, Mr Shehu Mohammed, and his management team for providing the command with logistics and other forms of support to facilitate operations in the state.

“We will embark on major public enlightenment campaigns as part of our commitment to enhance road safety and safety position in Nigeria as a safety conscious nation in the global community.

“We have also reviewed our public education strategies to include new dynamics such as town hall meetings and loading bay’s advocacy,“ Uga said.

He, however, expressed worry over the indifference by drivers and passengers to road safety regulations and called on road users to be vigilant, obey traffic rules, and report reckless driving to the toll free lines 112 and 122.

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The Imo Corps Marshals Coordinator, Mrs Happiness Ikechukwu, promised to put hands on deck to ensure safer travels, achieve the Corps Marshals’ target and put Nigeria on the world map of road safety.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Imo Ministry of Transport, Mr Ogunsoya Bimbola, urged all the stakeholders to work collaboratively with the FRSC for best results.

According to him, the Gov. Hope Uzodinma-led government remained committed to effective collaborations for the optimal good of Imo people.

A representative of the Association of Luxurious Bus Owners of Nigeria, Mr Duru Robert, called on government at all levels to “fix the Nigerian roads and save more lives”.