The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has credited its growing partnership with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for the significant decline in road crashes and traffic violations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), citing the impact of the non-custodial sentencing system on offender compliance.
FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Tijjani Iliyasu, made the disclosure on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Christopher Peter Jen, at the Command Headquarters in Abuja.
Iliyasu said the establishment of a Non-Custodial Desk Office at the FRSC FCT Sector Command, alongside the deployment of Correctional Officers to the Corps’ mobile courts, has strengthened the prosecution of traffic offenders and enhanced enforcement of road traffic laws.
According to him, the swift trial and sentencing of offenders through the mobile court system have created a strong deterrent against traffic violations, resulting in a noticeable reduction in road crashes and unsafe driving practices within the nation’s capital. “With the establishment of the Non-Custodial Desk Office at the FCT Sector Command and the presence of Correctional Officers in our mobile courts that punish traffic offenders almost immediately, we have witnessed a remarkable reduction in traffic offences and road crashes in the FCT,” Iliyasu said.
Despite the progress, the Sector Commander warned that recklessness, indiscipline and persistent disregard for traffic regulations remain major causes of road crashes.
He urged motorists and other road users to obey traffic laws, drive responsibly and avoid actions that could endanger lives and property, stressing that road safety is a shared responsibility.
Responding, the Controller of Corrections, Christopher Peter Jen, commended the FRSC leadership for the visit and reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Correctional Service to deepening collaboration with the road safety agency.
Jen said the Service remained focused on its core mandate of the reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, adding that it would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving road safety and promoting responsible driving behaviour in the FCT.
He also expressed confidence that sustained inter-agency collaboration would further strengthen compliance with traffic laws and enhance public safety.
Both agencies also explored additional areas of partnership during the meeting, with a renewed commitment to leveraging the non-custodial justice system to reduce traffic offences, improve law enforcement and make Abuja’s roads safer for all users.
