By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
Umuahia, Nov. 9, 2026
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Abia Sector Command, says it will deploy 927 personnel to enforce road safety during the 2026 Ember Months campaign.
The Sector Commander, Mrs. Ngozi Ezeoma, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists in Umuahia on the campaign, with the theme: “Overloading and Mix-Loading: A Dangerous Trend to Avoid”.
Ezeoma said the deployment comprised 500 regular marshals and 427 special marshals.
She said the command would also deploy seven patrol vehicles, three administrative vehicles, an ambulance and a tow truck to support its operations.
According to her, the personnel and operational assets would be deployed across the command’s five unit commands, with particular attention to major highways, identified crash-prone areas, motor parks and traffic junctions.
She explained that the patrol vehicles would support highway patrol, traffic monitoring, enforcement and rapid intervention, while the administrative vehicles would facilitate operational coordination and supervision.
The sector commander added that the ambulance and tow truck would provide emergency response, casualty evaluation, vehicle recovery and prompt clearance of road obstructions following crashes.
On supervision, Ezeoma said the command had put monitoring mechanisms in place to ensure that personnel discharged their duties professionally and in line with the Corps’ operational guidelines.
She explained that officers would undergo daily pre-patrol briefings and be subjected to 24-hour surveillance while on duty.
She added that she and other senior officers would also monitor personnel deployed across the state to ensure effective service delivery and adherence to operational standards.
According to her, the measures demonstrate the command’s commitment to zero tolerance for corruption and misconduct during and after the campaign.
Speaking on the campaign theme, Ezeoma said it was designed to raise awareness about the dangers of overloading and mix-loading and reduce road traffic crashes associated with the practices.
She explained that overloading involved carrying passengers or goods beyond a vehicle’s approved capacity, while mix-loading referred to transporting passengers alongside animals or incompatible goods.
According to her, overloading compromises vehicle stability, braking efficiency and manoeuvrability, while mix-loading exposes passengers to additional dangers.
She said the campaign would also target other traffic violations, including excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, driving against traffic, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, use of mobile phones while driving and operating unroadworthy vehicles.
The sector commander said the first phase of the operation would run from Oct. 26 to Dec. 15, while the second phase would commence on Dec. 15 and end on Jan. 15, 2027.
She said the command had planned public enlightenment activities at motor parks, churches, mosques and other faith-based institutions, alongside motorcade rallies and distribution of road safety educational materials.
Ezeoma said that traditional rulers, transport unions, motor park operators and other stakeholders would also be engaged to promote responsible driving and discourage dangerous road practices.
She disclosed that the command would conduct free medical outreach programmes for members of the motoring public, particularly commercial drivers, to assess their health conditions, psychological well-being and fitness to drive.
According to her, a similar exercise was recently conducted at the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in the state capital.
She said the command would collaborate with relevant government agencies, security organisations and construction companies to support road safety interventions and address identified challenges on highways across the state.
Ezeoma further said the command would intensify advocacy ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that political campaigns, rallies and other election-related activities could increase vehicular movement and create additional road safety challenges.
She appealed to traditional rulers, political leaders and community stakeholders to discourage reckless convoy operations, road obstruction and other activities capable of endangering lives during political engagements.
The sector commander emphasised that the success of the campaign should be measured not by the number of patrols conducted or traffic offenders apprehended, but by the number of crashes prevented, lives saved and families spared the pain of losing loved ones.
She appealed to commercial vehicle operators, articulated vehicle drivers, transport unions and motor park managers to discourage overloading and mix-loading.
She urged motorists to observe prescribed speed limits, avoid dangerous overtaking, ensure their vehicles were roadworthy, use seat belts and avoid driving when tired, distracted or under the influence of alcohol.
She also urged passengers to take responsibility for their safety by refusing to board overloaded or unsafe vehicles.
“My message is simple: no financial gain, social engagement or destination is worth the loss of a human life.
“The Ember Months are for celebration, not mourning. Avoid overloading and mix-loading. Drive responsibly to arrive alive,” she said.
The sector commander called for sustained collaboration among the FRSC, media, traditional rulers, religious leaders, transport unions, security agencies and other stakeholders to promote safer roads.
