FRSC Urges Nigerians To Stop Fuel Theft From Crashed Trucks

Nigerians have been cautioned by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to refrain from collecting fuel from wrecked trucks that are carrying gasoline-related goods.

The FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, gave this warning while addressing newsmen on Monday in Abuja on its recently concluded Operation Zero Tolerance.

He expressed alarm over the rising number of collisions and fatalities, especially the rate of deaths during the removal of petroleum products from crashed tankers.

Mohammed explained that fallen tankers were the reason for the rise in fatalities in 2024.

He said that the situation was worrisome, especially in cases of fatalities as a result of scooping petroleum products from crashed tankers in Niger and Jigawa states.

He identified the conveyance of persons in haulage vehicles, the overloading of persons, the conveying of petroleum products in passenger vehicles, and fatigue as causes of three deaths and above per crash threshold.

According to him, five landmark crashes defined the number of road traffic crashes, fatalities, and injuries recorded between Dec. 15, 2024, and Jan. 15.

“These were Jing, Shendam in Plateau State on Dec. 20, 2024, which killed 11 people, and the Bende-Ohafia route in Abia State on Dec. 22, 2024, which also killed 11 people.

“Another one was Dec. 25, 2024, on the Kaduna-Abuja expressway that killed eight passengers, and that of Jebba, Kwara State, on Dec. 26, 2024, which claimed 30 lives, as well as that of the Owo-Ikare route before Ose Bridge on Dec. 28, 2024, that led to the death of 13 passengers.

“These five landmark crashes were the most fatal crashes out of the 37 critical crashes that killed 3 persons or more, and that accounted for seven percent of the total crashes recorded during the period,” he said.

Mohammed said that the data indicated that those 37 crashes alone resulted in the deaths of 247 people, which constituted 39 percent of the total deaths recorded within the period.

“The 2024 end-of-the-year special patrol recorded fatalities that are alarming and unacceptable. Therefore, it is obvious that the crashes were a result of human errors,” he said.

The FRSC boss, however, maintained that the Corps was committed to achieving its mandate through compliance with the presidential directives.

He said the Corps would collaborate with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to sensitise the public to the dangers of scooping fuel from crashed tankers.

Mohammed stressed that the Corps would meet with stakeholders, particularly petroleum tanker unions, to proffer lasting solutions to the incessant crashes involving tanker drivers.

He, however, appealed to passengers to avoid boarding trailers and trucks meant for goods either during daytime or night trips due to the inherent dangers.

“In this beginning year 2025, I wish to caution motorists and travellers to avoid excessive speed and overloading as much as possible.

“Management will also continue to motivate staff through enhanced welfare packages.

“It is also expected that our effort at capacity building would provide the required skills and professionalism needed for enhanced productivity. (NAN)