Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has directed States Commissioners of Police to strengthen the Motor Traffic Divisions (MTDs) of their respective State Commands, in collaboration with other traffic management agencies.
Egbetokun said this is to ensure strict compliance and enforcement of established protocols and traffic regulations on highways.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP’s directive follows the tragic tanker explosion that occurred on Saturday at Dikko Junction, along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, on Niger State axis.
IGP Egbetokun further charged vehicle owners and drivers to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and abide by the traffic rules in order to prevent tragedies.
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He emphasized the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols on the nation’s roads, while warning firmly against negligence and disregard for regulations that can lead to catastrophic incidents.
While praying for the souls of the departed, the Police Chief called on all stakeholders, including transport operators and the general public, to prioritize safety and responsibility in their operations and actions, ensuring that such ugly incidents do not occur in the future.
This horrific incident occurred when a truck loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) lost control and eventually caught fire, resulting in the loss of over 73 lives and numerous others injured, with the destruction of several shops and property.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
