The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has identified “mix-loading” of articulate vehicles – simultaneous transporting of animals, humans and goods, as a cover to move dangerous weapons, and suspected criminals across locations in the country, and describing it as an emerging security threat.

The corps also identified the use of fake diplomatic number plates by suspected persons as another emerging security threat.

According to the Spokesman of the FRSC, Ohaeri Osondu, these practices are common in 11 states – Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Plateau, Nasarawa, Delta, Anambra, Rivers, Enugu and Uyo.

“The launched Operation Guduma, a Strategic Intervention Patrol Operation conducted from 18 to 22 May 2026 across the eleven identified corridors, arresting 1,686 articulated vehicles, 683 for mix-loading violations and 1,003 for fake diplomatic number plate offences,” Osondu said.

He spoke during a joint news conference by Spokespersons of Security, Defence and law enforcement agencies at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), highlighting their contributions to national security efforts.

Highlighting the contributions of the Corps to the fight against insecurity in the first half of 2026, Osondu said the FRSC embarked on a campaign targeted at the dangers of mix-loading, as well as speeding, night travel and vehicle overloading.

“The FRSC also deepened its role in national security, processing 72 investigation requests from law enforcement and security agencies through its vehicle and driver database. These came from the Nigeria Police Force, 41, INTERPOL,16, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, 13, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), one, and a private legal practitioner, one, supporting criminal investigations and vehicle tracing efforts nationwide.

“The Corps engaged traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups and other opinion leaders across all 37 Sector Commands as part of efforts to ensure safe travel. In total, 49 evidence-based stakeholder engagements were recorded across the 37 Sector Commands and 12 Zonal Commands,” he said.

Osondu also said the Corps recorded a markable reduction in road traffic accidents and traffic-related injuries during the period compared to the corresponding period in 2025. He said road traffic crashes reduced by 25.65%, while traffic-related injuries reduced by 25.35%.

Osondu added that a nationwide intensive enforcement of traffic rules during the period resulted in the arrest of 279,414 traffic offenders and the booking of 308,816 traffic offences.

“Nationwide, the Corps documented 2,214 Road Traffic Crashes involving 4,165 vehicles between January and May 2026. The crashes affected 16,349 persons in total , 1,181 of whom lost their lives, while 7,809 sustained injuries of varying severity. A further 7,359 persons involved emerged unhurt.”