Eld-el-Kabir: FRSC to test run body, vehicle cameras to check the assault

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said it would test run body and vehicle cameras to check assaults on officers and men during the Eld-el-Kabir special patrol nationwide.

The Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Bisi Kazeem, in an interview on Friday in Abuja, said the new technology was currently being tested.

Kazeem said it would be used for patrol operations, surveillance and traffic monitoring, rescue operations, and real-time information gathering for decision making when fully deployed.

The Corps Marshal, FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, had announced on June 16 that the Corps would be deploying body cameras for use by its operatives on patrol to reduce possible assault on them.

Kazeem said the Corps Marshal further invested in advanced Information Communication Technology to beef up its operations.

This, he said, was in addition to the deployment of the above operational tools, and in the quest for improved service delivery and effective patrol operations.

“The body camera is to help reduce assault on officers and check their behaviour on patrol.

“This device shall be put to the pilot test during the forthcoming Sallah operations before the official inauguration later this year,” he said.

Kazeem said the CM had also directed that the operatives pay first-rate focus on effective traffic control, wrongful overtaking and use of phone while driving.

He added that drivers licence violations, lane discipline, removal of rickety vehicles on the road, driving with expired or worn-out tyres and without spare tyres would be thoroughly checked.

“To achieve the desired result, the Corps has deployed operational equipment in the categories of radar guns, breathalysers to put a check on drunk driving.

“Operational logistics materials are also to be fully deployed for this exercise.

“More so, the CM has equally directed that all Zebras must be active 24/7 and be responsive to calls within the minimum FRSC response time to crashes reported,” he said.

According to him, special focus will be placed on the following offences; dangerous driving/overtaking, overloading violation, use of phone while driving, excessive speed, Lane indiscipline/route violation.

“Passengers’ manifest violation, illegal use of SPY number plate, Latching violation among others,” he added.

Kazeem assured all Nigerians of full deployment of personnel on the highways and crash emergency rescue services for prompt rescue and evacuation of crash victims in case of any mishap.

He urged them to show special consideration and attention to other road users, especially because of the rainy season, so as to create a safer atmosphere for all during the celebration.

He further called on Nigerians to cooperate with law enforcement agents and ensure maximum compliance with all directives on restrictions and physical distancing.

He also stated that the National Traffic Radio 107.2 FM would continue to operate 24/7 to give real-time traffic updates.

The FRSC spokesman called on all travellers to take advantage of the station, situation Office numbers, which were 07054005754, 07054005712 08056294021/08056295022, and the FRSC Toll-Free numbers 122.

This, he said, were numbers to report any obstruction, crash or gridlock witnessed on the road for the prompt intervention of the nearest Command,” he said.

The special operation would commence on Friday 16 to Sunday, 25 July 2021 nationwide.