Customs, FRSC Unite to Curb Rising Traffic Accidents, Champion Safe Driving Culture

Customs, FRSC Unite to Curb Rising Traffic Accidents, Champion Safe Driving Culture

ABUJA — In a decisive push to combat Nigeria’s growing road safety crisis, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) held a high-level sensitisation session on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, aimed at fostering safer driving habits among public officers and reversing the troubling trend of traffic-related fatalities.

The joint initiative marks a significant step in inter-agency collaboration, as both organisations seek to drive a transformative shift in Nigeria’s driving culture — starting from within the nation’s uniformed ranks.

Delivering the keynote address, Acting Comptroller of Transport and Logistics, AC Suleiman Bala, emphasized the urgency of the campaign, pointing to the unacceptable rise in road crashes and loss of life.

Corps Commander and Deputy Corps Public Education Officer, Manu Esthon

“We must acknowledge that we are not immune to the dangers we aim to fight,” Bala stated. “This is a national emergency. As public officers, we carry the burden of setting the standard — not only for how we enforce laws, but how we obey them.”

Bala hailed the FRSC for its consistency and professionalism in championing road safety nationwide, describing the Corps’ efforts as “a benchmark for public sector discipline and service excellence.”

“It is no longer enough to simply issue safety regulations — we must embody them,” he added. “This collaboration is not about agencies; it is about lives.”

Representing the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC Route Commander Fetus Emmanuel sounded the alarm on a troubling trend: a rise in traffic accidents linked to non-compliance with basic safety protocols, particularly among elite drivers and government operatives.

“When those entrusted with enforcing the law become lax in observing it, the ripple effects are devastating,” Emmanuel warned. “The Corps Marshal believes road safety begins with us. We are being watched, not just as officers, but as symbols of order in society.”

Cross-section of attendees

In a stirring presentation, Corps Commander and Deputy Corps Public Education Officer, Manu Esthon, laid bare the harsh realities of global and national road safety statistics, revealing that over 1.19 million people die annually in traffic accidents worldwide, with Nigeria accounting for a disturbingly high percentage.

Esthon identified human error as the leading cause of road crashes, followed by mechanical failure and poor environmental conditions. He called for stricter adherence to speed limits, avoidance of alcohol while driving, regular vehicle maintenance, and minimising distractions — particularly mobile phone use while behind the wheel.

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“Every accident is a reminder that someone ignored a rule — or didn’t care to understand it,” he said. “We must take personal and collective responsibility. Safety must become a culture, not a compliance checkbox.”

Cross-section of officers during the lecture

The sensitisation session included interactive workshops and practical discussions on risk mitigation, defensive driving techniques, and emergency response protocols — all tailored to equip customs and FRSC officers with the tools to lead by example on Nigeria’s roads.

Participants left the session with a renewed sense of duty, vowing to uphold the principles of responsible driving both on and off duty.

“We don’t wear our uniforms just to command authority. We wear them to inspire discipline , on the road, in the community, and in our conduct,” one senior Customs officer noted.

As traffic volumes continue to swell in cities and on highways across Nigeria, the joint campaign by NCS and FRSC underscores a critical truth: road safety is no longer just a civilian issue — it is a national priority, and it begins with those sworn to serve.