By Okechukwu Onuegbu

The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ananbra State, Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, Friday, said his officers would be empowered to man the state highways with body cameras this Yuletide.

According to Irelewuyi, Anambra state is among the few states where the new innovation in the road safety is being test run, and it was geared towards ensuring transparency and to checkmate assault and corruption between the motoring public and FRSC officers.

The Sector Commander, who disclosed this in a press conference held at the command's headquarters in Awka, added that 407 regular Marshals and 600 special Marshals would be deployed to ensure free flow of traffics across Anambra state throughout the Christmas and New Year festivities.

On breakthrough within the command since seven months he was posted to serve in Anambra state as Sector Commander, Irelewuyi, said that a total of 5503 persons have been arrested in the state for committing​ various road safety offences within the month of May to November, 2021.

He explained that the offenders committed 6687 offences including seatbelt violation but only three had been prosecuted and jailed, even as numbers of road crashes within the seven months were 110 with 27 of them being fatal and claimed 37 lives with 239 injured persons.

He further identified nine 'flashpoints' in Anambra Statw where traffic was expected to increase, noting that they would mobilise more officers to man those places and others from December 17th with body cameras for ease of movement, prevention of assault and corruptions.


"There is no gain saying therefore that traffic is expected to increase in the state by as high as 30% during this festive season. Some critical flashpoints have been identified. They are Onitsha- Metro, Onitsha- Owerri road, Ihiala, Umunze, Awka metro, Amansea, Oye-agu junction/Abagana, Nnobi junction and Eke Awka. The command is fully prepared to tackle these emerging traffic challenges. We have put in some operational strategies in place.

"They include extension of our working hours, and to mount pressures on relevant agencies to carry-on palliative repairs on major failed portions/potholes on the road. These include Awambia- Zone 13(Awka-Onitsha), immigration junction, Amansea, Opposite Lagos park and Upper Iweka (Onitsha- Awka lane). Others are early deployment of personeel, availability of logistics and deployment of 407 regular Marshals and 600 special Marshals," he maintained.

The Sector Commander, while commending relevant security agencies and Anambra State government for their support in ensuring free flow of traffics and security, however, enjoined cooperations of the motorists and general public throughout the festivity seasons and beyond.

Wondering who's more corrupt, road users or FRSC

They should also donate body cams to the North, and South West to help checkmate banditry and kidnappings.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander