The Federal Road Safety Corps has intensified its enforcement operations against the dangerous practice of mixed loading in Kaduna State, intercepting multiple articulated vehicles conveying a hazardous mix of passengers, animals and goods.
FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, said this in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Osondu Ohaeri, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the crackdown, carried out by the Kaduna State Sector Command, followed directives from the Corps Marshal.
NAN reports that the Sector Commander, Corps Commander Tijani Iliyasu, who led the operation, said the enforcement resulted in the apprehension of several offending vehicles along major corridors in the state.
Over 100 persons were found being transported alongside animals and goods in conditions described as unsafe and life-threatening.
The corps marshal said the operation was a part of ongoing nationwide efforts to enhance road safety, particularly during the Easter Special Patrol.
Mohammed described mixed loading as a “ticking time bomb” on Nigerian highways and an “egregious violation of traffic regulations.
“The practice exposes passengers to grave danger in the event of a crash, including being crushed by shifting cargo or injured by livestock, thereby significantly reducing their chances of survival,” he said.
The FRSC boss added that beyond the immediate risks to human lives, mixed loading compromised vehicle stability, weakens braking efficiency and heightens the likelihood of fatal road traffic crashes.
The corps marshal reiterated that the ongoing enforcement reflected the FRSC’s zero-tolerance stance on traffic violations that endanger public safety.
He warned operators and drivers nationwide to desist from such practices or face stiff sanctions, including arrest and prosecution.
Mohammed also urged motorists to adopt responsible driving habits, especially during the Easter period, characterised by increased vehicular movement across the country.
The FRSC boss reaffirmed commitment to safeguarding lives and property through sustained nationwide enforcement, intelligence-driven patrols and intensified public enlightenment campaigns.
He called on stakeholders and members of the public to support its efforts by complying with traffic regulations, stressing that road safety remains a collective responsibility.
