TheCable

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it has arrested over 1,750 motorcyclists and riders without number plates and class ‘A’ license.

In a statement on Friday, Bisi Kazeem, the corps public education officer, said the arrests were made during a special clampdown on tricycles and motorcycles across the country.

He said the effort which commenced on Wednesday was in collaboration with the Joint Tax Board (JTB), which includes the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corpse and other law enforcement agencies.

He said FRSC had shifted the commencement of enforcement from the earlier date of August 1 to allow for more sensitisation and awareness on the clampdown.

“This shift of date was agreed upon to give riders adequate time to comply with the laws and acquire both the class A license and the number plates,” he said.

“We expected that by now, due to the adequate publicity we gave the commencement of enforcement and the consultations that followed, all affected riders would have complied to this demand of the law.”

Kazeem said the special clampdown intervention patrol recorded massive arrests of offenders in 18 states.

According to him, the states include Kaduna, Nasarawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Delta, Benue, Oyo, Niger, Kwara, Adamawa, Kogi, Zamfara, Anambra, Sokoto, Osun, Rivers, Kano and Ondo state.

“The highest number of arrests was recorded in Kaduna state with a total of 430 arrests. Nasarawa state followed suit with a total of 219 arrests comprising of 15 tricycles and 204 motorcycles,” he said.

“In Benue state alone, a total of 147 arrests have been made, comprising of 140 motorcycles and 7 tricycles. Other are; Ondo 61, Anambra 41, Kebbi 51, Katsina 110, Delta 92, Zamfara 76, Oyo 178, Kogi 16, Mubi 10, Rivers 11, Kano 132, Niger 28, Osun 66 and Sokoto 10.”

The corps marshal said the essence of the operation is to reduce crime rate and increase security of lives and properties.

“The essence of this operation is to enhance the security of lives and properties of road users. There have been series of reports of pervasive use of these categories of vehicles to perpetuate all manners of crime and we are saying enough is enough. All Tricycles and motorcycles must have an identity so that they can be easily traced,” he said.