The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Ogun State Sector Command has  deployed  Regular and Special Marshals across major roads to ensure smooth traffic flow and minimise accidents during and after the Easter celebration in the state.

The Sector Commander, Akinwunmi Fasakin stated that the deployment was aimed at ensuring safe, smooth, and hitch-free movement for motorists during the festive period.

Fasakin, while reiterating the stance of the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, noted that the operation became imperative following the anticipated surge in vehicular and human traffic as Nigerians join the global Christian community in celebrating Easter.

He said that the Command would intensify enforcement against critical traffic violations that contribute to road crashes, including:Excessive Speeding and dangerous overtaking.

The commander also stated that the command has activated 24-hour patrol, rescue, and traffic management services, supported by patrol vehicles, ambulances, and tow trucks and directed the Acting Unit Commander of Ota, Chief Route Commander Wasiu Ogunmefun, to carry out strategic traffic realignment at the Old Toll Gate along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

Fasakin, however, urged the motoring public to take personal responsibility for their safety, saying “It is only the living who celebrate,as he advised drivers to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and to avoid distracted driving.

Similarly, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) has deployed officers for prompt emergency and rescue management operations during and after the Easter celebration.

The Acting Commander, Elias Ominayajo, who disclosed this yesterday in Abeokuta, said that the exercise would ensure effective traffic management, timely clearance of obstructions, prompt rescue and emergency services on a 24-hour basis.

He noted  that the exercise would focus on major corridors, including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; Interchange-Sagamu-Ijebu/Ode-Benin/Ore Expressway; Sango/Ota-Atan-Owode-Idiroko Highways; Atan-Lusada-Agbara-Badagry Highway; Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun-Interchange Expressway; Abeokuta-Ewekoro-Ifo-Sango/Ota Expressway; Rounder-Abeokuta-Olorunda-Ayetoro-Imeko-Ilara Border among others.

“We will carry out the operation throughout the festive period and will involve the full deployment of TRACE operational resources from all commands to man strategic beats and check points along the Ogun 27 major traffic corridors to reduce the excesses of recalcitrant motorists, tricyclists and motorcyclists.”

“We know that the Easter period will generate heavy flow of human and vehicular movement, which may bring about attendant traffic build-up, breakdown of ill- maintained vehicles, obstruction and road traffic crashes,” he added.

Omonayajo said he had  directed  Field Commanders to ensure that TRACE operatives remained civil, professional, but fair and firm when the need arises in the discharge of their duties for the safety of the general public, particularly the motoring public.

The commander urged motorists, tricyclists and motorcyclists to replace all defective vehicle components that may affect the safety of other road users, adding that they should avoid excessive speed, night travels, overloading, use of worn-out tyres, and driving against traffic (one-way).