Traffic authorities have cautioned motorists to avoid reckless driving and obey the speed limits as travellers head for villages and states across the country to celebrate the festive season.

Wear a seatbelt, avoid reckless driving and obey the speed limit at all times – these are some of the tips Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says will keep travellers in one piece and ensure they arrive alive at their destination this festive season.

The roads are getting busier as Christmas approaches and many people – especially Christians – are travelling to villages and states across the country to celebrate the holy day and the holiday season with their friends and families.

But the festive season is also a time when there are a high number of road-accident deaths and injuries, mostly caused by reckless driving.

Many of these are avoidable if drivers are patient, cautious, attentive and stick to the rules of the road.

Recent tragic accidents in Borno State in Nigeria’s northeast have highlighted the need for drivers to take every precaution possible to ensure safe passage on the roads.

In the past week, a little girl was killed when a security operative on a motorbike rode into a crowd in the Dikwa Local Government Area of the state. A little boy was seriously injured and had to be rushed to hospital. He is fighting for his life.

On Wednesday, December 11, two Borno State University (BOSU) students died when a large truck crashed into the side of a varsity bus. Several students were injured in the collision and rushed to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for medical attention.

The two students’ corpses were taken to their parents for burial.

BORNO STATE GOVERNMENT REACTS

Babagana Umara Zulum, the Borno State governor, has expressed his sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the Borno State University community as well as to the parents and guardians of students involved in the tragic accident along the Maiduguri-Damaturu road.

The crash, which occurred in the Njimtilo area of Maiduguri on Wednesday evening, December 11, claimed the lives of two students and left 16 seriously injured. Eleven students have been discharged and are recuperating.

“I extend my deepest sympathies to families of the affected students, the management, staff and students at Borno State University over this unfortunate incident. I am deeply touched by this tragic accident involving a students’ bus and a trailer, which occurred as the students were returning after completing their examinations.”

In response to the incident, Zulum directed the Ministry of Works to expedite the completion of the ongoing Maiduguri Trailer Park project.

He announced that the state government would soon enforce a ban on trailers and other heavy vehicles from accessing the city centre to minimise future accidents.

“I have instructed the Ministry of Works to ensure the immediate completion of the trailer park. Once operational, trailers will no longer be permitted into the city centre, a move aimed at reducing intra-city road accidents within the metropolis,” Zulum said.

“The Borno State government will take deliberate and decisive measures to prevent a recurrence of such a tragic incident.”

Zulum said the state government would cover all medical expenses for the injured students receiving treatment. He pledged to personally visit the victims in the hospital to sympathise with them and their families.

He wished the injured students a swift recovery and assured the public of the government’s commitment to improving road safety measures across the state.

REACTION OF FAMILIES AND RELATIVES

Zainab Bilal told RNI her sister was one of 32 students travelling on the bus.

“My sister suffered serious injuries to most of her body. One leg is broken. She is still receiving medical attention at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. We thank Almighty Allah that she is now getting better and recuperating gradually.”

Maryam Usman’s daughter was on board the bus. She said her daughter had just finished her last examination paper. She and the other students were celebrating the end of exams and were on their way home when the crash occurred.

“I thank Almighty Allah for keeping her alive because two of her peers died in the accident. My daughter is still in hospital. Her head – especially her check and mouth – were injured in the crash and she cannot speak. We hope that she will gradually get better.”

REACTION OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

Abba Abubakar Masta, the public relations officer of the Borno State University, said: “The students had been celebrating their graduation on the university premises. They were on their way home when the crash happened. Sadly, two students – a male and a female – lost their lives. The wounded were rushed to hospitals for treatment.

“I am relieved to report that 11 students have been discharged. We hope the remaining students will get better soon.”

Babakura Babakaka, the president of BOSU chapter of the Students’ Union in Government (SUG), told RNI that it was imperative for the government to take necessary measures to avoid further accidents by stopping trucks from moving around the main road in the city centre, adding that speed bumps should be constructed.

“One of the causes of the accident was that one lane of the Maiduguri-Damaturu road has been closed for repair and reconstruction. Vehicles are passing both ways on the remaining section of the road. This is how the crash between the truck belonging to the Dangote Group and the university bus happened.

“I urge the Borno State government to fast-track the reconstruction of the road and to compel the Dangote Group to compensate the families who lost their children in the accident. This is the only way to justice.”

RECKLESS DRIVING BY SECURITY OPERATIVES

The residents of the Dikwa Local Government Area in Borno State have called on the government to put in place stringent measures to control the “reckless driving by some security operatives”.

They say members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), soldiers, local hunters and vigilantes ride motorbikes while on patrol in the district.

Aisha Bukar lost her daughter. She told RNI that security operatives often drove recklessly and were a danger to residents in Dikwa town.

“My little girl was hit by a security member who was riding his motorbike recklessly. My daughter was rushed to hospital but sadly, doctors could not save her life and she died.

“Reckless driving of motorcyclists has been a menace for the past four months in Dikwa town. Such acts of reckless driving and overspeeding are a serious concern for the people, especially those living near roads.

“The government needs to address this issue.”

Bana Modu Ngubdo, chairman of Dikwa Community Development Association, told RNI that many people, especially children and women, had become victims of reckless driving by some security operatives.

“Some have died and some have been injured. Many have ended up with broken legs, arms or hands.

“The association has tried its best to reach out to relevant stakeholders and the local council authority to put in place measures to control the reckless driving by some security operatives within the town but up until now we have not had any feedback about what should be done to stop such acts.

“Although we don’t have a record of the number of people who have been killed and injured in this way, it is clear that reckless driving is an issue and it is getting worse.

“I urge security operatives to stop overspeeding and diving recklessly within the town, particularly in areas where there are children, such as internally displaced persons’ camps.

“Many children have been hospitalised and some have died. Just recently, one young boy was seriously wounded and hospitalised after he was hit by a security operative on a motorbike. He is fighting for his life.

“The local council authority must act now or else we will continue to lose more young lives.”

FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY CORPS REACTS

The Borno State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised motorists to take precautions to avoid accidents during December’s festivities.

Usman Ada Mohammed, sector commander of the FRCS in Borno State, said all road users must adhere to rules and regulations to avoid accidents.

“Our personnel are stationed on all major routes and will be monitoring road users. The festive period, with its unique challenges of increased vehicular movement and heightened safety risks, demands an unwavering commitment to excellence.

“I urge residents, commercial drivers, motorists and bikers within the city, towns and on the major roads and highways to always adhere to road rules and regulations.

“Wear a seatbelt, avoid reckless driving and always obey the speed limit. If people are going to be on the road in December, they must make sure their vehicles are properly maintained. Keep vehicle documents, such as driving licences, easily on hand. Report hazardous road conditions and reckless drivers.

“Everyone should advocate for improved road infrastructure to protect lives and property collectively.

“Failure to adhere to the rules and regulations will result in facing the wrath of the law.”

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO