The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced significant progress in reducing road traffic accidents and fatalities along the Ugwu-Onyema axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, reporting zero deaths and fewer crashes over a nine-month period.
This milestone was disclosed by the FRSC Sector Commander in Enugu State, Mr. Franklin Agbakoba, during the official launch of the 2025 Ember Months Public Enlightenment and Sensitisation Campaign, held in Enugu on Tuesday.
The campaign is themed “Take Responsibility for Your Safety, Stop Distracted Driving.”
Commander Agbakoba credited the achievement to strengthened enforcement operations targeting dangerous driving behaviours such as Driving against traffic, Lane indiscipline and Route violations.
He, however, acknowledged a tragic exception, the January 25, 2025, tanker accident in which 23 lives were lost due to a fuel-laden tanker rollover at the same location.
“Since that unfortunate incident, we have not recorded any other fatal crash on that axis,” Agbakoba said.
He also referenced a more recent diesel tanker accident on September 25, 2025, which was swiftly contained by FRSC personnel and fire service units without any loss of life.
“We ensured a prompt traffic diversion through Snake Road, Ngwo, and issued real-time alerts to the public. That timely response safeguarded lives and property,” he added.
To consolidate gains, the FRSC is collaborating with the Enugu State Government and other security agencies to establish a Forward Operating Base (FOB) at the Ugwu-Onyema axis for 24-hour surveillance and response.
In another development, Agbakoba announced that the production backlog of driver’s licenses in the state has been cleared, thanks to an upgrade of the Corps’ nationwide license production system.
“All pending licenses are ready for collection. We urge applicants to visit our offices to pick them up,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, for logistical support and praised Governor Peter Mbah for his personal commitment to road safety in the state.
Agbakoba appealed for further support in the form of patrol vehicles and ambulances to enhance operations.
Highlighting the increased traffic during the Ember Months, the year-end period typically associated with travel rush, the Sector Commander outlined the Corps’ key areas of focus to include; Speed limit violations, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, seatbelt non-compliance, use of mobile phones while driving as well as road rage and reckless driving.
“We are deploying more personnel and Special Marshals to high-risk corridors and will conduct free vehicle checks, park rallies, motorcades, and stakeholder town halls to promote safe road habits,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Anthony Orji, State Coordinator of the FRSC Special Marshals, assured that his team would intensify efforts to assist in traffic control and safety education, particularly along critical zones like 9th Mile to Ugwu-Onyema.
“We are ready to be deployed to crash-prone areas and will continue to spread the message of safe driving across the state,” Orji affirmed.
