FCT police order clampdown on one-way drivers, traffic robbers

By Kingsley Omonobi

ABUJA — The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has ordered a strict enforcement of traffic laws and directed its personnel to arrest and prosecute motorists who violate traffic regulations.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, gave the directive on Sunday while charging all Divisional Police Officers and MOTOPOL personnel to ensure strict compliance with traffic laws across the territory.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said the directive was aimed at promoting road safety, ensuring the free flow of traffic and preventing avoidable loss of lives and property arising from traffic violations and reckless driving.

She said the police commissioner specifically directed officers to clamp down on motorists driving against traffic, popularly known as “one-way,” as well as other forms of dangerous driving.

Adeh said the CP also directed personnel to intensify patrols and surveillance around major roads, traffic-congested areas, junctions and stop signs to identify and arrest traffic robbers who exploit congestion and traffic stops to dispossess unsuspecting road users of their valuables.

The commissioner, she added, charged officers to carry out the enforcement exercise with professionalism, civility and strict adherence to the rule of law.

Sanusi also warned police personnel against using the exercise as an avenue for extortion, harassment, intimidation or unlawful use of force.

He stressed that any officer found abusing the rights of members of the public or violating the directive would face strict disciplinary action.

The Command urged motorists and other road users to remain law-abiding, obey traffic signs and refrain from reckless driving and other traffic violations.

It also called on members of the public to promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency lines: 08032003913 and 08028940883.